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Policies and Procedures Manual
Counseling Psychology
Ph.D. Program and M.S. Program
Department of Psychology & Research in Education
University of Kansas
Version 2014.7.17
This document contains current program policies and procedures for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs
in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kansas. This manual is updated frequently.
Students are bound by the manual as it appears on this website, and should be wary of relying on
any downloaded version.
PROGRAM DISCLAIMER ....................................................................................................................... 6 PROGRAM GOVERNANCE ..................................................................................................................... 7 Program Committee Meetings and Meeting Agendas ........................................................................... 7 Program Committee Meeting Minutes ....................................................................................................... 7 Student Representation at Program Committee Meetings ................................................................. 7 Voting Policy ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 Voting via Email ................................................................................................................................................. 8 KU's Graduate Divisions .................................................................................................................................. 8 CPSY TRAINING VALUES STATEMENT ADDRESSING DIVERSITY ........................................... 8 ADMISSIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES .................................................................................. 10 Admissions Cycle ............................................................................................................................................ 10 Doctoral Program Admission Criteria .................................................................................................... 10 Recommended minimums when applying to Ph.D. program with a bachelor's degree ................. 10 Recommended minimums when applying to Ph.D. program with a master's degree ..................... 10 Masters Program Admission Criteria ...................................................................................................... 11 Recommended minimums for applicants to the Masters program .......................................................... 11 Academic Preparation and Admission Requirements ...................................................................... 11 Alternative Admissions Criteria ................................................................................................................ 11 A note about transportation while in the program: ........................................................................... 11 Background Screening ................................................................................................................................. 12 Application Procedures ............................................................................................................................... 12 DEADLINES for APPLICATION .......................................................................................................... 13 HOW TO APPLY ..................................................................................................................................... 13 KU Graduate School Information and Application .............................................................................. 13 Application for Graduate Teaching Assistantships ............................................................................ 13 Additional Counseling Psychology documents to study prior to application ............................ 13 Additional considerations for those applying with a masters degree ......................................... 14 Additional requirements for students whose first language is not English ............................... 14 Admission Review and Selection Process .............................................................................................. 15 STUDENT BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY ..................................................................................... 16 Purpose and Applicability ........................................................................................................................... 16 Policy .................................................................................................................................................................. 16 Scope ................................................................................................................................................................... 17 Standards .......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Procedures ....................................................................................................................................................... 18 Confidentiality ................................................................................................................................................. 19 EMAIL IS THE OFFICIAL MEANS OF COMMUNICATION FOR KU AND THE PRE DEPARTMENT ....................................................................................................................................... 19 FACULTY ADVISING ............................................................................................................................. 20 Advisor Assignment ...................................................................................................................................... 20 Changing Advisors ......................................................................................................................................... 20 ENROLLMENT ........................................................................................................................................ 20 Full-­‐Time Student Classification and Residence Requirement ...................................................... 21 Enrollment Status .......................................................................................................................................... 21 Degree Progress Report (DPR) system ................................................................................................... 22 2
Add/Drop and Course Withdrawal .......................................................................................................... 22 Policy and Procedure for Course Credit Transfer ............................................................................... 22 Policy and Procedure for Course Waivers ............................................................................................. 23 Procedures for waiving courses .............................................................................................................................. 23 Waiving of statistics courses ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Elective Coursework ..................................................................................................................................... 24 Continuing Education Courses ................................................................................................................... 24 Multi-­‐Year Rotation of Courses ................................................................................................................. 24 FINANCIAL SUPPORT .......................................................................................................................... 24 FORMS AND PETITIONS ..................................................................................................................... 25 Course Waivers ............................................................................................................................................... 25 Progress to Degree Forms ........................................................................................................................... 25 Paperwork for the Dissertation Proposal .............................................................................................. 27 Keeping Track of Important Information .............................................................................................. 27 Materials Kept in Your PRE File ................................................................................................................ 27 UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS GRADING SYSTEM ................................................................................ 28 Grades of “Incomplete” ................................................................................................................................. 28 PRACTICUM GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION ........................................................................... 30 A note about transportation while in the program: ........................................................................... 30 Practicum Application Orientation .......................................................................................................... 30 Practicum Course Prerequisites ............................................................................................................... 30 Courses That Must Be Completed Prior To Start Of First Practicum: ..................................................... 30 Courses That Must Be Completed Prior To Or During First Practicum .................................................. 30 Practicum Sequencing .................................................................................................................................. 31 Minimum Contact Hours .............................................................................................................................. 31 Documentation of Practicum Hours through Mypsychtrack.com ................................................. 31 Practicum hours for on-­‐call situations ................................................................................................... 32 Liability Insurance ......................................................................................................................................... 32 Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................................... 32 Practicum Sites and Application Procedures ....................................................................................... 32 Establishment of External Sites ................................................................................................................. 33 Field Experience ............................................................................................................................................. 34 Enrollment in Field Experience ................................................................................................................. 35 Practicum Tape Security Procedures ...................................................................................................... 36 Required Functions Outside of Class Time ............................................................................................ 37 Supervision and Consultation of Practicum Students ....................................................................... 37 Policy On Dismissal From Counseling Practicum ................................................................................ 37 Social Media Issues for CPSY Students .................................................................................................... 39 RESEARCH OPTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE MASTER'S DEGREE ....................................... 40 A. Master’s Thesis ........................................................................................................................................... 40 B. Master’s Project Option I ........................................................................................................................ 41 C. Master’s Project Option II ....................................................................................................................... 41 D. Master’s Project Option III ..................................................................................................................... 41 Examining Committee for MS Thesis or Project ............................................................................................... 41 E. Comprehensive Examination Option -­‐ CPCE ..................................................................................... 41 Areas Covered in the CPCE: ....................................................................................................................................... 42 3
ON USING M.S. AFTER YOUR NAME ................................................................................................ 43 STATEMENT REGARDING STUDENTS’ EMPLOYMENT AS PROVIDERS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES ............................................................................................................... 43 KU STATEMENT ON THE PURPOSES AND GOALS OF ACADEMIC INQUIRY ........................ 44 STUDENT EVALUATION AND RETENTION ................................................................................... 45 Minimal Levels of Acceptable Achievement .......................................................................................... 46 Comprehensive Annual Evaluation of Doctoral Students ................................................................ 48 Results of Evaluation .................................................................................................................................................... 49 Remediation ..................................................................................................................................................................... 50 Student Right to Appeal Faculty Decisions ......................................................................................................... 51 POLICY REGARDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN CPSY FACULTY AND SITE SUPERVISORS ........................................................................................................................................ 51 POLICIES GOVERNING DUE PROCESS ............................................................................................. 51 Policies on Student Conduct ....................................................................................................................... 51 School of Education Student Academic Misconduct Policy .......................................................................... 52 School of Education Academic Misconduct Policy and Procedure Summary ...................................... 52 KU Rules and Regulations on Academic Misconduct ...................................................................................... 52 DISMISSAL POLICY ............................................................................................................................... 52 Triggers for faculty review that could warrant a remediation plan or dismissal from the program ............................................................................................................................................................. 53 Dismissal Procedures ................................................................................................................................... 57 Confidentiality of Actions Taken in Response to Complaints and Grievances .......................... 58 PROGRAM DUE PROCESS POLICY AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES ...................................... 58 Student Grievance Procedures .................................................................................................................. 58 SCHOOL OF EDUCATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING STUDENT ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES & GRADE APPEALS ............... 59 OTHER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION POLICIES .................................................................................. 62 Conditions on the granting of program time extensions .................................................................. 62 Separation of comprehensive exam and dissertation proposal meeting ................................... 62 Examining Committee Composition ........................................................................................................ 63 LINKS TO OTHER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION POLICIES ............................................................... 63 KU POLICIES GOVERNING THE BEHAVIOR OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS .................................................................................................................... 64 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT APPLY ONLY TO THE CPSY PH.D. PROGRAM .......... 65 ANNUAL REVIEW OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS .............................................................................. 65 COMPLETION OF A MASTER’S THESIS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS OR ANOTHER UNIVERSITY ...................................................................................................................... 65 Verification of practicum hours taken elsewhere .............................................................................. 65 Practicum placement for those entering with a masters degree ................................................... 65 Counting hours after doctoral admission .............................................................................................. 65 PRACTICUM CLIENT CONTACT HOURS & SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS ........................ 66 4
AAPI HOURS REPORTED BY KU CPSY APPLICANTS 2008-­‐2011 ........................................... 66 AAPI HOURS REPORTED BY KU CPSY APPLICANTS 2012 ....................................................... 67 POLICY REGARDING THE GROUP EXPERIENCE IN THE CPSY DOCTORAL PROGRAM ... 67 SUPERVISION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY .............................................................................................. 68 LICENSURE OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT THE MASTERS LEVEL ......................................... 68 THE ELECTIVE BLOCK ......................................................................................................................... 68 DOCTORAL RESEARCH PRACTICUM .............................................................................................. 69 DOCTORAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ................... 70 When To Take Comprehensive Exams Relative to Internship Application ................................ 75 Suggestions For Review In Preparation For Comprehensive Exams ............................................ 75 Scoring Guide for Written Comprehensive Exams .............................................................................. 77 DOCTORAL DISSERTATION ............................................................................................................... 79 Dissertation Proposal Committee Structure ......................................................................................... 79 Dissertation Proposal ................................................................................................................................... 80 Dissertation Oral Defense Committee ..................................................................................................... 80 Dissertation Format ...................................................................................................................................... 81 Dissertation Copies ........................................................................................................................................ 81 Survey of Earned Doctorate and Successful Submission via e-­‐mail .............................................. 82 Deadline for Submission of Final Copy ................................................................................................... 82 Pre-­‐DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP ........................................................................................................... 82 Policy on Internship Readiness ................................................................................................................. 83 PREDOCTORAL INTERNSHIP APPLICATION AND SITE REQUIREMENTS ........................... 84 5
PROGRAM DISCLAIMER
The policies and procedures contained in this manual have been approved by the counseling
psychology faculty at the University of Kansas. Most of the policies and procedures apply to both
doctoral and master’s programs. It is clearly noted when certain policies and procedures apply to
only the doctoral program or only the masters program. All program faculty and students are
expected to abide by them. Any request for an exception needs to be discussed and approved by
the faculty, and should be documented in writing to be effective through faculty meeting minutes
and/or placed in a student's file.
The counseling psychology faculty adheres to the university policies on privacy and does not
disclose student information to any third party without the student’s consent under normal
circumstances. Students should be advised, however, this confidentiality agreement will be
breached when the student is deemed to be a danger to self or others and disclosure of the student
information will protect either the student or others. Moreover, students should be aware that
there will be information exchanges between our program and related institutions, such as
practicum and internship sites, for training related purposes.
The counseling psychology programs hold the highest ethical and professional standards in
developing these policies and procedures. It should be noted that consistent with our Program
Value Statements and Academic Assessment policy, students in the program are expected to
engage in self exploration and self-reflection, and sometimes counseling can be required of them
as part of a remediation plan.
The counseling psychology faculty engages in on-going self-study to ensure quality of training.
These policies and procedures are periodically reviewed and revised. When updates and changes
are made, such changes will be reflected in the CPSY program meeting minutes, which are
distributed to students via e-mail. You are encouraged to make a copy of any changes and update
any hard copy of the manual. All updates and changes will be publicized on our program website
and integrated into this document on an ongoing basis. Students are always bound by the current
copy of this manual as it resides on the PRE website.
Students agree to accept responsibility for both being informed about and for following the
policies and procedures outlined herein, and acknowledge that they will be required to qualify for
the degree under established policies. A student's behavior in the program is governed by the
policies and procedures operative in this document. If programmatic changes are made
(subsequent to the student’s first enrollment) that place a significant burden on an individual
student, that student may petition to the CPSY faculty for consideration of their case.
During the first semester of enrollment, students are required to review this document and sign an
Ethics and Policy Verification Form attesting that they have read it and will abide by these
policies and procedures.
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PROGRAM GOVERNANCE
The Counseling Psychology programs are governed by the faculty and student representatives
(one each from the master's and doctoral program and one from the master’s program) via
Counseling Psychology Program Committee meetings.
Program Committee Meetings and Meeting Agendas
The program faculty meets regularly during the spring and fall semesters. There are no regular
meetings in the summer. The frequency and time of meetings are decided by the faculty on a
semester basis and are publicized at the beginning of each semester. Special meetings may be
called by the faculty to address needs that regular meetings are not able to accommodate.
The Director of Training for the doctoral program and the Coordinator for the master’s program
are responsible for assembling and proposing the agenda based on student and faculty input for
each meeting. All faculty members and student representatives can submit requests to put items
on the meeting agenda. Additionally, agenda items may be proposed during faculty meetings and
added to the meeting agenda by a simple majority vote.
Program Committee Meeting Minutes
Minutes of faculty meetings are prepared by a designated person, circulated to the faculty and
student representatives. Under normal circumstances, one week from the date posted for
circulation to the faculty and student representatives the minutes will be considered approved
(often with minor changes). If online discussion about minor changes does not resolve concerns
about the minutes, then any of the faculty or student representatives can request that the minutes
not be considered approved until face-to-face discussion at the next CPSY meeting. After
approval, the minutes (redacted of information about issues regarding specific students) are
shared with all students.
Student Representation at Program Committee Meetings
To increase faculty-student communication in program operations, one student from the doctoral
program and one from the master’s program, recommended by the Counseling Psychology
Student Organization, attend the first part of all faculty meetings. Each of the two student
representatives has one vote for all non-student related matters at the faculty meeting. To protect
privacy and individual student and faculty rights, any faculty member can call for a meeting or a
portion of a meeting to be closed to student representatives.
Voting Policy
The faculty and the student representatives (one vote each) have the privilege to vote for all policy
and procedure decisions. Only faculty may vote on decisions about student issues. A majority
vote is required to pass any motion. Majority vote is defined as simple majority at the time when
voting takes place.
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Voting via Email
There are times when an issue can be addressed via email and voted on by having those included on the
email Reply-to-All their vote. Unless otherwise noted, majority rule will be used, and addressees will
have 7 calendar days to reply. Non response will be considered a vote of agreement with the proposal. At
other times it may be wise to wait for a CPSY meeting so we can discuss sensitive issues face to face. To
address this eventuality, any addressee can invoke an electronic filibuster within that same 7 calendar day
period, by asking that we not make a decision on an issue via email until we meet face to face for
discussion.
KU's Graduate Divisions
Each professional school on the Lawrence campus has a graduate division: Architecture,
Business, Education, Engineering, Fine Arts, Journalism, Pharmacy, and Social Welfare. The
Office of Graduate Studies serves as the graduate division for the College of Liberal Arts &
Sciences. On the Lawrence campus, each graduate division has an Associate Dean or Director of
Graduate Studies who serves as the contact person for that graduate division.
CPSY TRAINING VALUES STATEMENT ADDRESSING DIVERSITY
Respect for diversity and for values different from one’s own is a central value of counseling
psychology training programs. The valuing of diversity is also consistent with the profession of
psychology as mandated by the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles and
Code of Conduct (2002) and as discussed in the Guidelines and Principles of Programs in
Professional Psychology (APA, 2005). More recently there has been a call for counseling
psychologists to actively work and advocate for social justice and prevent further oppression in
society. Counseling psychologists provide services, teach, and/or engage in research with or
pertaining to members of social groups that have often been devalued, viewed as deficient, or
otherwise marginalized in the larger society.
Academic training programs, internships that employ counseling psychologists and espouse
counseling values, and post-doc training programs (herein “training programs”) in counseling
psychology exist within multicultural communities that contain people of diverse racial, ethnic,
and class backgrounds; national origins; religious, spiritual, and political beliefs; physical
abilities; ages; genders and gender identities, sexual orientations, and physical appearance.
Counseling psychologists believe that training communities are enriched by members’ openness
to learning about others who are different than them as well as acceptance of others. Internship
trainers, professors, practicum supervisors (herein “trainers”) and students and interns (herein
“trainees”) agree to work together to create training environments that are characterized by
respect, safety, and trust. Further, trainers and trainees are expected to be respectful and
supportive of all individuals, including but not limited to clients, staff, peers, and research
participants.
Trainers recognize that no individual is completely free from all forms of bias and prejudice.
Furthermore, it is expected that each training community will evidence a range of attitudes,
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beliefs, and behaviors. Nonetheless, trainees and trainers in counseling psychology training
programs are expected to be committed to the social values of respect for diversity, inclusion, and
equity. Further, trainees and trainers are expected to be committed to critical thinking and the
process of self-examination so that such prejudices or biases (and the assumptions on which they
are based) may be evaluated in the light of available scientific data, standards of the profession,
and traditions of cooperation and mutual respect. Thus, trainees and trainers are asked to
demonstrate a genuine desire to examine their own attitudes, assumptions, behaviors, and values
and to learn to work effectively with “cultural, individual, and role differences including those
based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, language, and socioeconomic status” (APA Ethics Code, 2002, Principle E,
p. 1063). Stated simply, both trainers and trainees are expected to demonstrate a willingness to
examine their personal values, and to acquire and utilize professionally relevant knowledge and
skills regardless of their beliefs, attitudes, and values.
Trainers will engage trainees in a manner inclusive and respectful of their multiple cultural
identities. Trainers will examine their own biases and prejudices in the course of their
interactions with trainees so as to model and facilitate this process for their trainees. Trainers will
provide equal access, opportunity, and encouragement for trainees inclusive of their multiple
cultural identities. Where appropriate, trainers will also model the processes of personal
introspection in which they desire trainees to engage. As such, trainers will engage in and model
appropriate self-disclosure and introspection with their trainees. This can include discussions
about personal life experiences, attitudes, beliefs, opinions, feelings, and personal histories.
Assuming no one is free from biases and prejudices, trainers will remain open to appropriate
challenges from trainees to their held biases and prejudices. Trainers are committed to lifelong
learning relative to multicultural competence.
Counseling psychology training programs believe providing experiences that call for trainees to
self-disclose and personally introspect about personal life experiences is an essential component
of the training program. Specifically, while in the program trainees will be expected to engage in
self-reflection and introspection on their attitudes, beliefs, opinions, feelings, and personal
history. Trainees will be expected to examine and attempt to resolve any of the above to
eliminate potential negative impact on their ability to perform the functions of a counselor or
psychologist, including but not limited to providing effective services to individuals from cultures
and with beliefs different from their own and in accordance with APA guidelines and principles.
Members of the training community are committed to educating each other on the existence and
effects of racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, religious intolerance, and other forms of
invidious prejudice. Evidence of bias, stereotyped thinking, and prejudicial beliefs and attitudes
will not go unchallenged, even when such behavior is rationalized as being a function of
ignorance, joking, cultural differences, or substance abuse. When these actions result in physical
or psychological abuse, harassment, intimidation, substandard psychological services or research,
or violence against persons or property, members of the training community will intervene
appropriately.
In summary, all members of counseling psychology training communities are committed to a
training process that facilitates the development of professionally relevant knowledge and skills
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focused on working effectively with all individuals inclusive of demographics, beliefs, attitudes,
and values. Members agree to engage in a mutually supportive process that examines the effects
of one’s beliefs, attitudes, and values on one’s work with all clients. Such training processes are
consistent with counseling psychology’s core values, respect for diversity and for values similar
and different from one’s own.
*This document was endorsed by the American Counseling Center Training Agencies (ACCTA),
the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs (CCPTP), and the Society for
Counseling Psychology (SCP) in August of 2006.
ADMISSIONS POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The counseling psychology faculty at the University of Kansas, is committed to offering the best
training toward the growth and development of the next generation of counseling psychologists.
We respect and value cultural and individual diversity, and do not discriminate against anyone on
the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national
origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, or other individual differences. We
particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups/classes to apply.
Admissions Cycle
Applications are accepted only for the fall semester each year. The admission deadline is
December 15 for the Doctoral program and January 1 for the Masters program, and the
admission decision is no later than April 1 to begin course work in the following summer or fall.
Doctoral Program Admission Criteria
The Counseling Psychology Doctoral program at KU accepts approximately six to ten students
each year. Both bachelor's level and master's level applicants are considered for admission.
Recommended minimums when applying to Ph.D. program with a bachelor's degree
•
•
•
The completion of a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field.
GRE Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing scores at the 50th percentile, obtained within the
last 5 years.
An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 covering all college credits taken prior to the
bachelor's degree, or 3.25 for the major courses or the last 60 credits of the bachelor’s
degree.
Recommended minimums when applying to Ph.D. program with a master's degree
•
•
•
The completion of a Master's degree in counseling or a closely related field.
GRE Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing scores at the 50th percentile, obtained within the
last 5 years.
Graduate GPA of 3.50 or above.
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Masters Program Admission Criteria
The Counseling Psychology Masters program at KU accepts approximately 15 students each year.
Recommended minimums for applicants to the Masters program
•
•
•
The completion of a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field.
GRE Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing scores at the 50th percentile, obtained within the
last 5 years.
An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.00 covering all college credits taken prior to the
bachelor's degree, or 3.25 for the major courses or the last 60 credits of the bachelor’s
degree.
Academic Preparation and Admission Requirements
There is an expectation that students entering either the doctoral or masters program will have at
least 15 hours of undergraduate coursework in behavioral sciences, including measurement,
statistics, research methods, social psychology, personality, etc. First level graduate coursework
(e.g., PRE 710 ad PRE 725) can be used to remediate areas not already covered.
Alternative Admissions Criteria
Applicants MAY be admitted under alternative criteria provided there is evidence that regular
criteria do not adequately reflect the student's potential to succeed in the program. The faculty
will review and make decisions on such applications on a case-by-case basis.
The faculty reserves the right to require those who are admitted under the alternative criteria to
take some background core courses in psychology before or during the first year of their training
in the areas of general psychology, theories of personality, tests and measurement, abnormal
psychology, experimental psychology, and introductory statistics. This decision will be made by
the admissions committee and the student’s assigned advisor, and communicated to the student
before he/she accepts admission to the program.
A note about transportation while in the program:
Due to the fact that most practicum sites of the program are off campus and some of the required
courses are offered at the Edwards campus of the University of Kansas, students admitted to the
program are responsible for transportation to and from training sites and the Edwards Campus.
Information regarding any Master's level practicum experience
Once a student has been made an offer for our Ph.D. program, we will need verification of
successful completion of any practicum experience required for their master's program in order to
add those hours to the practicum hours compiled through their doctoral program.
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Additional Fees
Courses at the Edwards Campus have additional fees for that location. In addition, a variety of
courses in our masters and doctoral programs have additional fees for materials used in those
courses.
Background Screening
To matriculate and enroll as a student in good standing in the KU School of Education’s
Counseling Psychology programs and to be placed in clinical practice sites (e.g., practicum,
internship, field experience), students in the program must complete and satisfactorily clear a
criminal background check with Validity Screening Solutions. Initial screening will take place
after admission but prior to enrollment. Refusal to undergo the background check will result in
denial of enrollments or, in the case of students already in the program, denial of clinical site
placement. The full details of this policy appear later in this manual in the section, STUDENT
BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY.
Application Procedures
The application process is completely online.
Have these materials ready and on hand when you go online to fill out the application:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Statement of Intent, outlining your background and professional objectives
Resume
A personal email address that you know will still be active one year from the time you
apply (Some colleges make a student's email address inactive upon graduation)
Email addresses for three persons who can submit online recommendations
Official transcript from each college or university where previous coursework was
completed
GRE Scores (General scores for Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing). The exam
must have been taken within the past 5 years.
Degree in psychology, education, or a related field
Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher OR Graduate GPA of 3.5 or higher
For international students, see Ph.D. Program Admission Policies and Procedures for
information concerning English proficiency requirements and a personal financial
document as required by the U.S. government in order to issue the DS-2019 or I-20.
Further information for international applicants regarding documentation of proof of
financial support can be found at http://www.iss.ku.edu/submit-proof-financial-support
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not meet one or more of the above criteria, please consult our
Alternative Admission Criteria in our Ph.D. Program Admission Policies and Procedures.
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DEADLINES for APPLICATION
December 15 for the Doctoral program
January 1 for the Masters program
HOW TO APPLY
KU Graduate School Information and Application
This link takes you to the KU Graduate School online application. Please click on “Psychology
and Research in Education” on Page 4. This will lead you to the choice of Ph.D. in Counseling
Psychology.
On the last page, you will have an opportunity to upload your Statement of Intent and additional
materials.
Application for Graduate Teaching Assistantships
GTA Application for PRE This document contains an application and information about
undergraduate and graduate course descriptions for graduate teaching assistants. This application
process is separate from the admission process and must be submitted separately as indicated
in the instructions.
Additional Counseling Psychology documents to study prior to application
Counseling Psychology PhD Program Requirements for the current academic year (these could
change before the upcoming academic year). This includes core courses and other helpful
information.
Ph.D. Program Admission Policies and Procedures
M.S. Program Admission Policies and Procedures
If you have questions, contact:
University of Kansas – Graduate School
1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Rm 300 Strong
Lawrence, KS 66045-7535
(785) 864-6161
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The KU Graduate School application and official transcripts are processed directly by the
University of Kansas Graduate School.
Department of Psychology and Research in Education
Attn: Graduate Applications
1122 West Campus Road, Rm 621 JRP
Lawrence, KS 66045-3101
(785) 864-3931 phone; (785) 864-3820 fax
[email protected]
Dr. Changming Duan, Ph.D.
Director of Training for Ph.D. Program
1122 West Campus Road, Rm 621
JRP Lawrence, KS 66045-3101
(785) 864-3931 phone; (785) 864-3820 fax
[email protected]
Additional considerations for those applying with a masters degree
If the applicant has completed a practicum in counseling or a related area, one
recommendation should be completed by the practicum supervisor.
Once a student has been made an offer for our Ph.D. program, we will need
verification of successful completion of any practicum experience required for their
master's program in order to add those hours to the practicum hours compiled through
their doctoral program.
When students who have begun a master's degree are admitted to our doctoral
program, we encourage them to complete their master's degree (whether from KU or
from another institution) but we do not require completion. Additional requirements for students whose first language is not English
Students’ oral expression and communication skills play an important role in their
success in counseling psychology training programs. Therefore, the counseling
psychology program requires that all non-native English speaking applicants
(international or domestic applicants) demonstrate their English proficiency by
following the guidelines listed below before their applications are reviewed by the
admissions committee.
A: Verification that the applicant’s native language is English, as shown to a high
degree of probability by citizenship in an English-speaking country such as Great
Britain, Australia, New Zealand, or English-speaking provinces in Canada.
B: Graduation with a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited U.S.
institution in one of the countries listed above whose medium of instruction is English.
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C: Receipt of the applicant’s Internet Based Test of English as a Foreign Language
(iBTOEFL) or Test of Spoken English (TSE) scores achieved no more than two years
before the semester of admission.
iBTOEFL* – all part scores at least 26
TSE – Minimum score of 50
* Please note: the score requirement for admission to KU is set by KU's Office of
Graduate Studies
D: Skype interviews or interviews through other on-line media will be required if the
applicant cannot appear for an in-person interview in the admission process.
E: All students who are not native speakers of English must visit the Applied English
Center (AEC) on arrival for verification of their English language proficiency (by
taking both KU's English Proficiency Test and KU’s Speak Test). Until all the AEC
tests are satisfactorily passed (per AEC standards), the student will not be allowed to
take degree-required courses or be employed as a GTA or GRA.
Admission Review and Selection Process
Applicants will be evaluated using the following dimensions:
Academic merit and potential
Evidence of potential for conducting research
Specific research interests
Personal and interpersonal characteristics
Contribution and commitment to diversity and multiculturalism
Professional identity, goals, and interests
The Admissions Committee will consist of two or more faculty members and one or more
student members. The student members will NOT review application materials.
Using the aforementioned criteria, the Admissions Committee will select approximately
thirty candidates to be interviewed by the faculty and current students. Applicants may
choose between campus interview and phone (or Skype or other media) interview.
All faculty members and current students will have opportunities to do interviews. For
applicants who choose a campus interview, both group and individual interview activities
will be conducted by faculty and current students on Interview Day, which is usually a
Friday in February or early March.
Admissions decisions will be made by the faculty as a whole shortly after Interview Day. A
list of candidates to be offered admission and a list of rank-ordered alternates will be
decided and candidates will be notified.
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Candidates will be notified of the admission decision no later than April 1.
Candidates who are offered admission are required to “accept” or “decline” the offer no
later than April 15th. A reply earlier than April 15th is strongly encouraged, as applicants on
the Waiting List need to be informed of their status.
If a candidate on the alternate list receives an admission offer near April 15th, he/she has 7
days to act on the offer. If the offer is made on or after April 15th, the candidate has 3 days
to make a decision.
Note: The counseling psychology faculty abide by University of Kansas policies and does not
discriminate against anyone on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, or status as a veteran. We
particularly encourage those from underrepresented groups/classes to apply.
STUDENT BACKGROUND CHECK POLICY
Purpose and Applicability
Increasingly, schools, counseling centers, clinics, hospitals, and other health care agencies are
requiring that students submit to criminal background checks prior to their acceptance into
practicum, internship, and other field experience placements. In response to the placement
policies of these settings on which the Counseling Psychology program depends for training
support, and having a commitment to assure sites and their clients as much as possible that the
students we place with them are of good character as well as clinically competent, the faculty of
the Counseling Psychology program have adopted a criminal background check policy applicable
to its students.
Policy
To matriculate and enroll as a student in good standing in the KU School of Education’s
Counseling Psychology programs and to be placed in clinical practice sites (e.g., practicum,
internship, field experience), students in the program must complete and satisfactorily clear a
criminal background check with Validity Screening Solutions. Refusal to undergo the
background check will result in denial of enrollment or, in the case of students already in the
program, denial of clinical site placement.
By May 1st, you need to complete a background check (as instructed below) if you have accepted
an offer of admission. You will be contacted only if there is an issue which requires follow-up.
During your tenure in the program, you may be required to re-complete the background check if
deemed appropriate by the program faculty. The program will then review the background check
to determine if the background check passes program standards. If no disqualifying offenses are
located, the student will be fully admitted into the program. The student will be contacted if there
is an issue that needs to be addressed.
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If a student receives a GTA appointment, they will be asked to complete another background
check, but the student will not be required to pay for the one required by the GTA appointment.
For students already matriculated in the program and who have not had a background check, one
must be completed before they may begin their clinical field placement(s). If no disqualifying
offenses are located, the student will be permitted to enroll (or remain enrolled) in practicum/field
experience. The student will be contacted if there is an issue that needs to be addressed.
As a part of the background check, students are required to disclose any prior criminal records.
Failure to do so could be considered falsification of the application and could result in dismissal
from the program.
Any student convicted of misdemeanor or felony charges, subsequent to the criminal background
check, must disclose that information within 10 calendar days to the program training director.
Failure to disclose, or falsification of conviction information could result in dismissal from the
program.
Scope
The background check will be conducted by Validity Screening Solutions and may include but is
not limited to the following:
•
•
•
Social Security Number trace (serves as an address verification tool)
Criminal search for felonies/misdemeanors and federal records in all jurisdictions reported
on the Social Security Number trace for the past seven years
Multi-State Sex Offender Registry (search of all 50 states registries and the District of
Columbia)
Standards
The following offenses, if located on the background check, may preclude enrollment the
program. These offenses may include but are not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Felony offenses
Sexual Assault, rape, indecent exposure, lewd and lascivious behavior, unlawful voluntary
sexual relations, promoting sexual performance by a minor, aggravated sexual battery,
sexual exploitation of a child, habitually promoting prostitution, enticement of a child,
criminal sodomy, indecent liberties with a child, incest, child molestation
Any charge relating to illegal drugs
Assault or battery
Murder or manslaughter
Contributing to a child's misconduct or deprivation, furnishing alcoholic beverages to a
minor for illicit purpose
Robbery
Theft
Forgery
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Insurance Fraud
Kidnapping
Poisoning or attempted poisoning
Assisting Suicide
Arson
Failure to report acts of abuse or neglect
Mistreatment of a dependent adult
Child abuse or neglect, abandonment of a child
Registered sex offender
Any conviction of attempt or conspiracy to commit any of the above crimes could also be
considered a disqualifying criminal offense.
Procedures
The student must undergo the background check provided by Validity Screening Solutions. No
other background check will be accepted due to the variance in quality and type of background
checks conducted.
The student will be provided with login information to a Validity Screening Solutions secure
website where the student will be provided with a copy of their Summary of Rights. After
providing authorization for the background check, the student will provide the information needed
to conduct the background check and provide payment if so instructed. The completed
background check report will be released to the Training Director of the program, to clinical
placement sites if requested and authorized by the student, and also to the student if the student
requests a copy upon initiation of the background check. The background check results will not
go into the student's file, but will be kept by the program director in their office.
The program will review the background check to determine if it passes program standards. If no
disqualifying offenses are located, the student will be permitted to matriculate in the program.
If the background check has any type of flag, a designated faculty committee will review it to
determine if the flag contains disqualifying convictions. If the background check is found to
contain any convictions not passing the program’s standards, the Committee will then take the
following into consideration:
•
•
•
•
Nature, circumstances and frequency of any offense(s)
Length of time since offense(s)
Documented rehabilitation
Accuracy of the information provided by the applicant in application materials
After these factors have been considered, if the Committee considers the student a risk to
clients/patients or public safety, the student will then be notified in writing that their admission to
the program has been canceled or that they are being dismissed from the program. The student
will be provided with the name and contact information for Validity Screening Solutions and will
contact this organization directly with any disputes to the information provided. Validity
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Screening Solutions will then respond to the student’s inquiry within 20 days and provide the
Counseling Psychology program with an updated report if applicable.
Within 10 days of receipt of the letter informing the student of their dismissal from the program,
the student has the right to meet with the Department Chair (or designee) and provide a rebuttal in
writing as to why they should be allowed into (or to remain in) the program.
The Department Chair will then forward the appeal and provide the background check and appeal
letter to a designated Committee for review. This Committee will make the final decision and will
notify the student in writing of their decision.
Students passing the background check standards for the program will be advised that any crimes
must be reported to any licensing or registry boards and future employers. These licensing or
registry boards and any future employers will have their own standards and they may not allow
certain convictions. Students will be further informed that neither the University of Kansas nor its
Counseling Psychology programs are liable for denial for any professional license or certification
by any licensing or registry board. It is the student’s responsibility to determine whether or not
any information in their background check will prevent them from certification or licensing upon
completion of the program. The criminal check and standards apply solely to the University of
Kansas Counseling Psychology Programs and thus, even if the student passes program standards,
they may not be eligible for licensing, certification, or jobs with certain employers based on their
criminal history.
Confidentiality
The Counseling Psychology program will not share any of the information contained in the
background check with any other entity besides the clinical field placement setting, and only then
if it is a requirement for placement and the student consents to the disclosure. The results of the
background check will only be reviewed by limited school officials and clinical facility personnel.
All completed background checks are maintained on Validity Screening Solution’s secure
management system. The student has a right at any time to request a copy of her/his background
check directly from Validity Screening Solutions.
EMAIL IS THE OFFICIAL MEANS OF
COMMUNICATION FOR KU AND THE PRE
DEPARTMENT
The University routinely uses email for both formal and informal communication, including
emergency messages, with faculty, staff and students. Faculty, staff, and students are required to
register an email account or utilize a University-provided account during their enrollment or
employment at the University. These addresses are used for University business and official
University communications. All faculty and students, and all staff who have access to email, are
expected to check their email regularly for University communications. Official University
communications include, but are not limited to, enrollment information, grade reports, financial
statements and other financial information, library overdue notices, and policy announcements.
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KU encourages students to maintain separate email accounts and addresses with an Internet
Service Provider for personal communication, but students may use the KU account for incidental
personal communication as long as it does not interfere with KU operations or generate
incremental identifiable costs. At their discretion, students may also routinely forward email from
the KU account to a personal account. They should keep in mind that KU email is encrypted
during storage and transmission and may be more secure than in another email system.
While the University policy above states that students should check their email "regularly", the
CPSY program policy is that students are responsible for email that has been sent to them within
three business days of the date sent.
FACULTY ADVISING
Advisor Assignment
Upon admission into the Counseling Psychology programs, students are assigned a faculty
member as an advisor. This faculty member will advise the student on his or her curricular plans
during the student's graduate career. Initial advisor assignments are made by the program faculty
based, as much as possible, on the student’s research or applied interests—with due consideration
given to each faculty member’s current number of active advisees.
Changing Advisors
Changes to the student's advisor assignment may be made by consulting the program director.
Requests for new advisors may involve, but are not limited to, the student's pursuit of new
interests that would be more adequately supervised by a different member of the faculty. Such
changes often occur at the time that a student forms a thesis or dissertation committee. If the
student's choice of a thesis or dissertation chairperson is different from his or her present advisor,
there is, in effect, a change in advisor. When a new advisor has been chosen and all parties have
agreed to the change, the student should notify (in writing) the program director, the former
advisor, and the new advisor. The letter should indicate the changes that have been made, and the
updated information will be entered into the program database. Keep in mind that many faculty
are not under contract with KU during the summer and may not be available for advising and
supervising research activities.
ENROLLMENT
The normal full-time enrollment for a graduate student is nine credit hours per semester or six
hours per summer session. Many CPSY students enroll for more hours, depending on other
responsibilities and the particular courses involved. Students are not normally permitted to enroll
for more than sixteen hours in the fall or spring semester, or more than eight hours in the summer
session. If a student is a KU employee, the hours of enrollment should be limited accordingly—
usually to no more than ten hours for a half-time or six hours for a full-time staff member.
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Each semester, it is the student's responsibility to confer with his or her advisor to plan the next
semester's schedule. All active students are notified by the University as the enrollment period
approaches. The University enrollment process is completed entirely online. For some classes, the
student must obtain a special permission number to enroll for the class. These may be obtained
through your advisor and with the assistance of departmental office staff. Subsequent changes in
enrollment are handled online through add/drop procedures, or with the use of paper forms after
the first few weeks of the semester.
It is the responsibility of students to keep their advisor apprised of their activity and to ensure that
the advisor is aware of their enrollments and progress. A copy of all significant records pertaining
to each student's progress is kept in the student's academic file, which is located in the
departmental office in 621 JRP.
The enrollment of those with foreign student (F-1) visas must conform to the minimum
established by the regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. International
students must conform to the residence requirements of the Office of Graduate Studies.
Full-Time Student Classification and Residence Requirement
The following student loads for course work and/or appointments at KU for teaching or research
represent full-time graduate student status for degree-seeking students for purposes of qualifying
for fellowship tenure, student loan deferment, and similar certification, and for meeting residence
requirements for doctoral degrees.
-9 credit hours
-6 credit hours plus a half-time GTA or GRA at KU
These figures are the minimum number of credit hours a student may carry and still be certified as
full time. A student may enroll for more hours with the approval of the department or program
advisor, within general guidelines.
Degree-seeking graduate students who are employed more than half time must be enrolled for at
least 6 hours per semester to be certified as full-time students.
For a student who is a full-time employee at KU to fulfill the residence requirement, the KU
employment must contribute substantially to the student’s graduate program.
Enrollment Status
Enrolled
On Leave (officially recognized after petitioning the faculty)
Discontinued (were once enrolled, but have not been for one or more semesters.
This status requires you to be reactivated which requires a fee)
Dismissed (officially acted upon by the faculty)
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Degree Progress Report (DPR) system
The Degree Progress Report (DPR) system makes it easy to track progress toward completion of
degree requirements through the Kyou portal. The DPR is a report that:
Lists coursework completed at KU and at other schools from which you have
submitted official transcripts
Lists student coursework currently in progress
Places student coursework into degree requirement sections
Identifies KU school requirements you still need to satisfy in order to graduate
Add/Drop and Course Withdrawal
Students need to attend to the deadline dates for adding or dropping a course, as the deadlines
come prior to the last day of the semester. Please visit the website of the University Registrar for
important dates, procedures, and forms for enrollment and adding and dropping courses
http://www.registrar.ku.edu
Policy and Procedure for Course Credit Transfer
Up to six (6) graduate credits, that have not been used for obtaining another degree, can be
transferred into the Master’s program (eight [8] if a KU undergraduate) with approval of the
student’s advisor. The advisor should initiate with the departmental office the appropriate course
transfer Progress-to-Degree form.
Students are responsible for presenting their advisor with proof of the coursework (e.g., an official
transcript showing the course, catalog description of the course, course syllabus, etc.). The course
to be transferred has to be substantially equivalent to the KU course to be replaced in the program
of study. If the course names are not the same, you may need to present additional information to
make a case for demonstrating “equivalence”. This should be accomplished in your first semester
in the program. No assumptions about transferred credits should be made until formal approval
has been received.
Please note: According to university policy, to complete their degree, students in the Master’s
program must have a minimum of 30 current graduate hours if they are completing a thesis or
research project or 36 current graduate hours if electing the non-thesis/project degree option.
These minima include transferred hours.
The following exceptions and regulations are to be followed:
1) Credits cannot be transferred into the doctoral program. For waiving required coursework
based on previous coursework, refer to the Policy and Procedure for Course Waivers in
this Policies and Procedures Manual.
2) No practicum coursework will be waived.
3) Courses used to support waivers must have been taken for graduate credit, but may not
have been used for a prior degree.
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4) The course must have been taken from an accredited school in a regularly scheduled
course.
5) A grade of A or B must have been earned in the course in order to be transferred.
6) Except in exceptional circumstances, “elective coursework” cannot be waived or
transferred.
Policy and Procedure for Course Waivers
Students entering with prior graduate work: Students who have completed prior graduate work in
counseling or related fields may petition for a waiver of one or more required courses based on
previous educational experience (typically in the form of completed graduate-level coursework).
A petition for waiving a specific course needs to be first reviewed and deemed to be “equivalent”
to the KU required course by an instructor for the course at KU. The petition will then need to be
reviewed and supported by the counseling psychology faculty before being forwarded to the
Graduate Office of the School of Education for final approval. Please see the CPSY Policies and
Procedures Manual for the procedure for pursuing such waivers.
In terms of time to completion of the doctoral program, having course waivers may or may not
reduce the time for completion depending on how many courses are waived and on the student’s
own decisions and circumstances. Due to the structure of the practicum training experiences in
the program (a minimum of two full years of practicum are required and additional clinical field
experience is encouraged before the full time year-long internship at the end of training), it is not
realistic to expect program completion (including internship ) in fewer than 4 years.
In submitting petitions for course waivers to the program, responsibility for demonstrating course
equivalence rests with the student. Documentation such as previous course syllabi, readings, texts
used, etc. should be provided as supporting materials. It is our program policy not to waive
practicum requirements regardless of previously completed practica, prior professional work
experience, etc. [The exception is the possible waiver of PRE 842 for students entering with a
master's degree in counseling or a related field who have completed and documented appropriate
prior supervised counseling/clinical experience.]. Additionally, electives cannot be waived. All
course waiver approvals must be processed within the student’s first year in the program. No
assumptions about waivers should be made until formal approval has been received.
Procedures for waiving courses
1)
2)
3)
4)
To petition for a course waiver, it is the student's responsibility to:
Inform and work with your academic advisor and acquire his/her approval;
In an organized fashion, provide evidence of the prior coursework that shows the
equivalence to that of the course you are requesting to waive at KU (e.g., course syllabus,
completed course assignments, transcript showing course grade).
Complete the Course Equivalence Instructor Approval Form.
Take the Course Equivalence Instructor Approval Form and any other supporting
documents to the instructor of record for the course that you are requesting to waive for
his/her review and approval.
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5) After the course instructor fills out and signs the Course Equivalence Instructor Approval
Form, present all relevant material along with the Petition for Course Waiver Summary
signed by you and your advisor to the faculty (you may ask your advisor to bring the
material to the faculty meeting) for final approval.
6) If the instructor of record believes additional work is necessary for the waiver to be
complete (e.g. a 1-hour Independent Study on a critical aspect not covered in the course
you took) the instructor should designate that on the appropriate place on the Course
Equivalence Instructor Approval Form. This will require the student to revisit with the
instructor once that work is completed for a second signature on the form. Thus it is
important to keep a copy of any such forms. A copy of the form with any additional work
noted should be given to the Training Director to be placed in the student's file.
Waiving of statistics courses
One graduate course taken at another institution can only be used to waive one course at KU. For
example, if a student has taken a statistics course elsewhere that topically covers both regression
and ANOVA, they can petition to have one statistics course waived. Upon consultation with one
of the REMS faculty, they might decide to waive either Regression or ANOVA and take the
other, OR they might waive PRE's Regression and ANOVA courses but enroll for a higher level
statistics course like multivariate analysis. In other words, where the program requires two
courses, if the student had one elsewhere, they still need to take one course at KU.
Elective Coursework
Courses taken toward fulfillment of one degree cannot be used to fulfill elective requirements for
the doctoral program.
Continuing Education Courses
Continuing Education courses cannot count toward either the doctoral or master’s degree
program.
Multi-Year Rotation of Courses
The PRE Department attempts to work from a multi-year rotation of courses. This allows students
to better plan their course sequencing. CPSY courses (and most other PRE courses) are on a 2year rotation, while a few PRE courses are on a 3-year rotation. Also see the 2-year rotation of
CPSY courses.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Financial support for students derives from several sources—only some of which are within the
control of the program. The Department has a limited number of teaching assistantships for its
students, and these positions are competitively applied for by students across the various
programs within the department. The number of these positions does not match the need or
interest of our students—in part due to the fact that the department offers only graduate programs
within which student teaching appointments generally are not permissible (since they themselves
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will be taking many of the courses and/or would be serving as instructors for their peers). The
Department does provide courses in learning, development, classroom management, and
assessment within the School’s undergraduate teacher education program; and students do secure
assistantships for these courses.
Within the Department and the Program, students may be awarded research assistantships to work
with faculty on internally- and externally-funded projects. Most of these positions provide a
stipend and a full or partial tuition waiver, though a few provide only an hourly stipend. Program
and departmental faculty are encouraged to apply for training and research grants in order to
further their own careers and to assist in the financial support and research training of students. In
the past few years, we have had several students on program and departmental faculty grants, and
several additional students on grants through the School's Institute for Educational Research and
Policy, the Assessment and Achievement Institute, and the University's Center for Research on
Learning. Students are eligible for teaching and research assistantships in programs outside of the
department, and recent or current students have secured assistantships in the Departments of
Psychology, Special Education, Applied Behavioral Science, and within the School of Business.
Students also secure positions within the Office of Student Success (e.g., University Career
Center).
The Graduate School offers a small number of fellowships for which our students are eligible,
principally dissertation fellowships. The SOE annually awards a variety of graduate scholarships,
one of which (the Richard M. Rundquist Scholarship) is specifically designated for students in our
program. These annual scholarships generally are in the range of $1000. Students are eligible for
(and have received) such awards more than once.
FORMS AND PETITIONS
This section contains information about forms. The forms themselves can be found at CPSY
Program-Related Forms (at http://pre.soe.ku.edu/documents-and-resources).
Course Waivers
See the section above on Policy and Procedure for Course Waivers.
Progress to Degree Forms
At certain points in your training, forms must be filed with the Office of Graduate Studies. These
forms are completed by your advisor and the PRE office support staff, and forwarded to the
Graduate Office in 210 JRP.
It is the student’s responsibility to arrange the time and place for any examination.
Following are points in one's program that require a Progress To Degree Form to be filed:
Master’s Degree Credit Transfer.Transfer of courses toward KU Master's degree.
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Completion of Master’s Exam. Comprehensive Examination OR Thesis/Project Defense. Filed
two weeks prior to the date of written comps or the thesis or project defense, to allow the
Graduate Office time to verify readiness to sit for the exam. Clearance for the exam must be given
prior to the student sitting for the exam and will not be considered if late or after the fact.
Completion of Comprehensive Oral Exam for Doctorate. Filed two weeks prior to the date of
written comps, to allow the Graduate Office time to verify readiness to take the exam, and to
ensure the eligibility of all faculty members on the committee. Clearance for the comprehensive
exam must be given prior to the student sitting for the exam and will not be considered if late or
after the fact.
Completion of Final Oral Exam for Doctorate. Filed at least two weeks prior to the dissertation
defense to allow the Graduate Office time to verify readiness to defend, to ensure eligibility of all
committee members, and to notify local news outlets.
Permit to Re-enroll-Domestic Student. Permit to re-enroll is used when a student wants to reenroll in a graduate program after not enrolling the previous semester(s).
Permit to Re-enroll-International Student. Permit to re-enroll is used when an international
student wants to re-enroll in a graduate program after not enrolling the previous semester(s).
Time Limit Extension Request. This form allows a student to petition for an extension on the
time limit for a masters or doctoral degree.
Leave of Absence Request. Students may request and departments may grant a leave of absence
from a graduate program. Time used during a leave of absence does not count towards the time to
degree limit. Use this form to mark the beginning of a leave, and then again to end the leave.
Miscellaneous Functions. This form can be used to track miscellaneous internal items. A few
specific instances where the Miscellaneous Functions form must be used include:
Waiver of doctoral coursework based on prior graduate coursework.
Successful petition. If you file a petition and it is approved, the Miscellaneous Functions
form is filed along with a copy of the petition.
Residency Requirement -- The Miscellaneous Functions form is attached to the Residency
form that the student files with the Records Office. Residency (in the university's eyes)
consists of two consecutive terms of 9 hours or more (excluding Independent Study type
courses), and cannot be filed until 30 hours of graduate work (or the master’s degree) are
completed. NOTE: KU Residency is not the same thing as the CPSY Program's
requirement (based on APA requirements) that students put in 3 years of fulltime
study toward the degree, though the definition of 'fulltime' is the same (see the section
on Fulltime Student Classification and Residence Requirement).
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Paperwork for the Dissertation Proposal
Once a dissertation proposal has been accepted by the three-person committee, the advisor should
submit the title page of the proposal, that includes signatures of the three committee members,
along with an electronic copy of the proposal, to the School of Education Associate Dean for
Graduate Studies support staff.
Keeping Track of Important Information
You should make sure that you keep personal copies of all correspondence and documents (e.g.,
petitions, waivers, practicum logs/summaries, course syllabi) issued during your training at KU.
Although the Graduate Office and the department keep student files updated, it is often easier to
refer to your own files for certain information. You may look at your department file, but you
may not check it out. Your advisor can assist you in reviewing your file in the department. Letters
of recommendation that have been submitted to the Department for the purpose of admission are
destroyed soon after the student's admission to the program, and are not kept in the files. Your
Graduate Studies file is retained by the School of Education in the Graduate Office, 210 JRP. You
may visit the Graduate Office to review that file.
Materials Kept in Your PRE File
Students are allowed to have access to the materials in their file, but the department is not
required to (and does not) allow students to make copies of materials in their file or to alter
materials in their file.
Application/Admissions Materials
____ Graduate School Application
____ PRE Department Application
____ GRE Scores
____ Transcripts
____ Department Acceptance Letter
____ Graduate School Acceptance Letter
____ Does NOT include letters of recommendation, which are shredded after your first
enrollment (per the advice of KU’s Legal Counsel).
Practicum Materials
____ Practicum Evaluation Forms
____ Practicum Hour Forms (signed by supervisor)
Internship Materials
____ Pre-Doctoral Internship Readiness Form
____ AAPI
____ Internship Placement (acceptance letter)
____ Internship mid-year and final evaluations
Progress To Degree Forms
____ Change in Degree/Change in Plan
____ Completion of Master’s Exam or Thesis
____ Completion of Comprehensive Oral Exam for Doctorate
____ Completion of Final Oral Exam for Doctorate/Dissertation Defense
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Annual Review Materials
____ Student Annual Evaluation Portfolio for each year in the program
____ Annual Evaluation Letter for each year in the program
Miscellaneous Materials
____ Program of Study (with all signatures)
____ Signed “Ethics & Policy Verification Form”
Remediation Plans and Implementation documentations, if applicable.
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS GRADING SYSTEM
The majority of courses in the programs are graded A, B, C, D, F. Courses taken in the School of
Education (including PRE courses) can be graded using the plus/minus system (e.g., B+, A-).
Certain courses are graded as Satisfactory/Failing/Incomplete (SFI) or Satisfactory/
Unsatisfactory/Incomplete (SUI). These include PRE 842, 897, 948, 949, 995, and 997. Thesis,
dissertation, and internship hours are assigned a “P” as long as Progress was made during the
semester in which the student was enrolled. When the thesis or dissertation is successfully
defended, or the internship is completed, the credit hours for the student’s final enrollment will be
graded (A-F) to reflect the quality of the work. A student failing to make satisfactory progress on
his or her thesis or dissertation may have a grade other than P assigned by the advisor, reflecting
such failure to progress.
Grades of “Incomplete”
The Office of Graduate Studies policy states that "the letter I [Incomplete] is used to indicate
coursework that has been of passing quality, some part of which is, for good reason, unfinished."
As a general rule, if you anticipate that you cannot complete the work for the class and do not
have a legitimate reason (e.g., a documented medical condition, or some other personal/family
condition that prevents completion of the course requirements on time), you should consider
withdrawing from the course. In all cases, students are expected to discuss Incomplete grades
with the instructor beforehand.
Students occasionally will “over enroll” in courses or commit to too many outside responsibilities
and be unable to complete assignments for one or more courses by their due dates. Be advised
that to approach a faculty member and explain that your work will be delayed because you have
been busy preparing for another course or due to other “more important” work commitments is an
affront to the faculty member whose course assignments you opted to put-off. Plan your
enrollments with your other courses and work schedules in mind.
If you do take an Incomplete grade, it is your responsibility to assure that any incomplete work is
submitted to the instructor as soon as practicable—preferably prior to the beginning of the next
academic term, but certainly no more than a month or two beyond the end of the term for which
the “Incomplete” was assigned. When the work has been submitted to the instructor, it is your
responsibility to verify that the instructor has turned in a change-of-grade for the course. Faculty
need time to grade your work. Be sure to check that a grade change has been effected. You can do
that by retrieving your ARTS form (unofficial transcript) online.
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Grades of Incomplete will automatically lapse to F, U, or the grade indicated by the instructor one
year after the original due date. Further, doctoral students will not be allowed to take oral
comprehensive exams or move to doctoral candidacy with a grade of I on the transcript, and I
grades will lapse to F, U or the grade indicated by the instructor at the point of graduation.
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PRACTICUM GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION
As our doctoral program is APA accredited, we endorse for all levels of practicum the guidelines
concerning practicum training outlined in APA’s Guidelines and Principles of Accreditation.
Practicum is a crucial component of the curriculum; successful completion of practicum is a
prerequisite to applying for a pre-doctoral internship (for doc students) and receiving your degree.
In addition to satisfactory performance in practicum courses, students have several
responsibilities related to selecting sites, applying for practicum, documenting practicum
activities, receiving supervision, and evaluating the practicum experience. Questions about
practicum should be directed to the program Practicum Coordinator.
A note about transportation while in the program:
Due to the fact that most practicum sites of the program are off campus and some of the required
courses are offered at the Edwards campus of the University of Kansas, students admitted to the
program are responsible for transportation to and from training sites and the Edwards Campus.
Practicum Application Orientation
There is a mandatory practicum application orientation toward the end of the student's initial
semester in the program (fall) to discuss practicum placement procedures. Attendance at the
orientation may be a requirement of a class, but may meet outside of class time. Addressed in this
orientation are the consequences of “non-placement,” student responsibilities with respect to
accruing degree-related practicum hours, issues of preparing a vita/resume, interview preparation,
professionalism, and preparation to be a professional.
Practicum Course Prerequisites
Courses That Must Be Completed Prior To Start Of First Practicum:
740
Counseling & Interviewing Skills
742
Counseling Theory and Techniques
830
Individual and Group Assessment
880
Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues
890
Diagnosis and Psychopathology
896
Seminar in Advanced Counseling Skills
Courses That Must Be Completed Prior To Or During First Practicum
844
Group Theory and Process
846
Career Development
875
Understanding Individual and Cultural Diversity
845
Substance Abuse Counseling (required only for Terminal Track)
956
Theory of Couples and Family Counseling (required only for Terminal Track)
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Practicum Sequencing
All students, from both masters and doctoral programs, will have an initial 9-month practicum
experience at a single site. In the fall, all students will enroll in PRE 842 Counseling Practicum.
In the spring, all students will again enroll in PRE 842 Counseling Practicum. Doctoral students
will then spend a year at a different site while enrolling in PRE 948: Doctoral Practicum in CPSY,
followed by a year at yet a different site while enrolling in PRE 949: Doctoral Externship in
CPSY. Doctoral students who have already taken 842 at KU will enroll in 948 both semesters of
their first year.
Minimum Contact Hours
Students are expected to accumulate a minimum of 100 direct face-to-face/clinical hours over the
course of a 2-semester practicum (842a and 842b). Direct client contact can include individual,
group, couples, and family therapy. In addition to the actual therapy sessions, direct client contact
can also include intake interviews, educational and psychological testing (conducted on a one-onone basis), the taking of psychosocial histories, and anything where there is an interface between
the client and the therapist, or collateral contact with the client’s family.
At least 25 hours of these 100 must be conducted in one-on-one or couples counseling sessions
(not in group therapy and not in assessment). Non-contact hours can fall into a large group of
activities like charting, staff meetings, and case conferences, supervision, and session preparation.
Students failing to meet this contact hour minimum will not successfully complete practicum.
Student progress in practicum toward meeting the requirement will be monitored by the practicum
instructor and the Practicum Coordinator. If a student has not accrued 50 face-to-face hours by the
time grades are submitted in the fall, the instructor will assign a grade of Incomplete. Once the
student has reached 50 hours in the spring semester and is progressing adequately in practicum,
the grade will be changed to Satisfactory. Some sites start out slower than others, as they have
more extensive training or have students observe prior to seeing clients, so it is not uncommon for
students to reach the 50 hour milestone early in the spring semester. Students need to be reminded
that co-therapy hours are considered direct hours, as long as the student contributes anything to
the session, and such sessions are often some of the best hours of training possible. Students are
reminded to have a discussion with their site supervisor about needing to contribute at least a bit
in order for these hours to count as direct contact.
Documentation of Practicum Hours through Mypsychtrack.com
It is the student's responsibility to record the hours devoted to the various activities in practicum.
Students are required to obtain access to a standard hour storage system through
mypsychtrack.com. Students are required to maintain this service every year they are in
practicum. This is particularly important for doctoral students and for masters students who may
one day pursue a doctoral program, as the software tracks practicum hours and syncs up with the
AAPI internship application (for doc students) and allows program directors to collect data and
maintain verified contact hours. At the end of the semester, students must complete the Hour Log
Summary sheet provided by the program and submit the form to their site supervisor for their
signature. This signed form should be given to the practicum instructor for their signature, and
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placed in the student's file. Students should always maintain their own copy of signed hour logs.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure that a copy of their practicum hours summary for each
semester of practicum is in their departmental file.
Practicum hours for on-call situations
When at a practicum site, hours spent talking to a client on the phone count as direct contact hours
(on the AAPI they would be Other Psychological Interventions-Consultation). Hours on-call but
not in contact with a client count as support hours. When at a site that is not an official practicum,
hours cannot be counted.
Liability Insurance
Students are required to show proof of liability insurance coverage before they will be allowed to
participate in practicum. Student professional liability insurance is available at a nominal cost
through the APA Insurance Trust (APAIT) for doctoral students and the American Counseling
Association (ACA) for masters students. Student membership in the association is required in
order to make use of its liability insurance program.
Evaluation
While evaluation of counseling skills is generally based on specific, but developmentally
appropriate, competency goals set by the student, the site supervisor, and the faculty instructor,
general guidelines are provided by the evaluation forms used in practicum.
It is the joint responsibility of the student and supervisor to operationalize these areas by setting
specific goals at the beginning of each semester of practicum (this also is true for supervised field
experiences.) It is the site supervisor's responsibility at formal evaluation sessions to provide
specific evidence of the student’s progress in these areas. Evaluation of the student’s performance
is both individualized and normative. It takes into account the student’s own baseline and goals,
but also estimates the student’s performance relative to other students at the same level of training.
While evaluation should be ongoing and formative during the course of a semester, formal
summative evaluation takes place at the end of the semester when the student and the supervisor
provide the practicum instructor with written evaluation on forms provided by the department. A
copy of the form is placed in the student’s file. The practicum instructor then assigns a grade
based largely on the evaluation.
Practicum Sites and Application Procedures
Masters students and doctoral students with no previous practicum experience begin their
practicum training with PRE 842: Counseling Practicum—typically in the fall of their second
year. In the spring of that second academic year, students will again enroll in the 6-credit hour
PRE 842: Counseling Practicum.
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Typically, doctoral students entering with master’s degrees begin their practicum training with
PRE 948 -possibly in the fall of their first year (depending on availability and other factors),
followed by PRE 949 (Doctoral Externship) in their second academic year.
In the academic year following successful completion of PRE 948, all doctoral students enroll in
two consecutive semesters of PRE 949: Doctoral Externship.
Students planning to take practicum must apply for sites in the semester preceding their practicum
enrollment according to the following procedure:
1.
Students file a Practicum Application with the Practicum Coordinator during November or
December for the following academic semester.
2.
The Practicum Coordinator assigns students to practicum sites according to (a) site
availability, (b) student-training needs—as determined by the faculty and student, and (c)
acceptability of the student to the site.
3.
Students dissatisfied with the site assignment may appeal to the Practicum Coordinator or
their program director for reconsideration of their assignment.
Establishment of External Sites
Efforts are made to develop practicum sites at agencies where students will receive experience
and training commensurate with the philosophies of the Counseling Psychology training
programs. Counselors and Counseling psychologists are employed in a wide variety of work
settings, and the CPSY faculty attempts to provide students with a range of pre-professional
opportunities.
External practicum sites are developed for their ability to reflect typical counseling psychology
activities, as well as the following:
1.
Placement of at least one practicum student for the full academic year – typically from midAugust through mid-May.
2.
Provision of an average of five client contact hours per week. In addition, it is expected that
the student spend the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the site (i.e., seeing clients, attending
staffings or seminars, receiving supervision, etc.). For Advanced Practicum, students are
encouraged to participate in assessment and group counseling experiences. Other
experiences such as staffings, consultations, workshops, groups, and organizational aspects
are all encouraged, but not to the exclusion of face-to-face counseling.
3.
Provision of on-site supervision. The on-site supervisor must be a credentialed mentalhealth professional in his/her field, though not necessarily a counselor or a counseling
psychologist. On-site supervision will consist of at least one hour per week that may consist
of the supervisor's review of case notes and audio or video- taped sessions, or live
supervision of therapy.
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4.
Appropriate office and support facilities for students.
5.
Appropriate orientation must be given to acquaint the practicum student with policies,
forms, records, intake procedures, release of information, testing procedures, and
confidentiality procedures.
6.
Completion of the Student Evaluation Form by the site supervisor, minimally at the end of
the semester. Forms will be supplied by the CPSY Practicum Coordinator and will be used
by the course instructor to help determine the student's course grade.
7.
Maintaining contact with the practicum instructor, the Practicum Coordinator, and the
Program Director should questions arise about the student or practicum process.
In the event that problems or conflicts arise after the student has been placed which would
jeopardize successful completion of the practicum at the site (e.g., not enough clients, concerns
about the student’s performance, etc.), the site supervisor and/or the student should notify the
practicum instructor immediately, who will confer with the Program faculty and the Practicum
Coordinator.
Field Experience
Frequently students wish to gain more experience or experience in an area not afforded them
through their practica. Typically those students would enroll in PRE 895 (for master’s students) or
PRE 995 (for doctoral students)
Please note that there is a limit of 5 hours of Field Experience in any one semester, and a limit of
8 hours that can be counted toward one’s degree. Field Experience hours beyond that can be
taken, and may count toward hours necessary for eventual licensure (the rule for licensure as an
LPC in Kansas allows only 6 hours of Independent Study or Field Experience to count toward the
60 total hours).
Most CPSY faculty have several different enrollment line numbers for PRE 995, one for
Counseling & Psychotherapy, another for Psychodiagnostic Assessment, yet another for Clinical
Consultation (for doctoral students who have already completed PRE 945 and their PRE 996
requirement but who wish to gain further consultation experience), and one for College Teaching
(for those doc students who have already completed their PRE 996 requirement but who wish to
gain further classroom teaching experience).
It is the student's responsibility to enroll for the correct PRE 895/995 line number with the faculty
member who is sponsoring them. Students must secure the permission of the instructor before
enrolling.
When a student enrolls for a field experience to gain more clinical hours, their experience closely
resembles that of a practicum student. They are placed at a site with an approved on-site
supervisor, they see clients, and perform other duties consistent with a practicum experience. Any
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field experience must be approved by the Practicum Coordinator (in part to ensure that sites meet
our criteria, and in part to avoid having students looking for sites in competition with the
Practicum Coordinator who is placing students in practica). Just as in practicum, professional
liability insurance is required, as is on-site supervision, which should consist of one hour face to
face per week, with the same type of supervisor as is required of practica.
The field experience is different from a practicum in a few important ways. Students do not meet
with a practicum class once a week, and they do not receive regular ongoing consultation from a
KU faculty member. On the other hand, the student is expected to:
1. Have completed coursework that would be expected at the site.
a. PRE 951 Psychodiagnostic Assessment MUST BE COMPLETED before enrolling
in PRE 995 Field Experience: Psychodiagnostic Assessment.
b. PRE 885 Projective Assessment should be taken before enrolling in 995 Field
Experience: Psychodiagnostic Assessment if the field experience involves
administering projective tests.
2. Obtain the consent of a faculty member who is willing to serve as the sponsor to your
Field Experience.
3. Prepare a learning contract, detailing what you will do during the course of the experience,
e.g., specify how many client hours you will put in each week, what activities and types of
interventions or assessments you expect to use, and other activities you might engage in,
like attending rounds or staff meetings, outreach, etc.
4. Log hours just like in practicum, and be evaluated on the same basis as practicum--with a
sign off by the site supervisor.
5. Initiate and remain in periodic contact with the sponsoring faculty member.
Enrollment in Field Experience
Field experiences, unlike practica, are intended to be a mutually agreed upon clinical training
experiences. The CPSY program determines students’ eligibility for enrollment in field
experiences and oversees the placement of students. However, the details of the arrangement
should be negotiated between the student, the site(s), and faculty sponsor. For example, the
number of hours that the student is on-site (e.g., 1-40) and the type(s) training experiences that he
or she engages in (e.g., assessment, counseling, other) are not determined by enrollment in PRE
995 and thus, are constructed by the parties involved. This typically results in a training
experience that is unique to each student in the spirit of a student-generated, independent study.
Because there is no weekly classroom meeting for PRE 995, students may erroneously conclude
that they are free from oversight, obligation, and consequence. On the contrary, students engaged
in a field experience should understand that oversight is provided by the site in the form of
supervision and the by faculty sponsor. While faculty sponsors differ in their management of field
experience, students should be able to behave in a professional manner without vigilant
monitoring by CPSY faculty.
Students typically enroll in a field experience at the end of their training program. By the time
students reach the end of their program, they should be able to gauge their academic
commitments (e.g., comprehensive exams, dissertation, internship application/interviewing, work,
35
classes) before asking for permission to complete a field experience. Advisors can be very helpful
in this regard. You should determine whether you have the time for a field experience BEFORE
asking to be placed at a site. You should be able to tell the site how many hours you would like to
be at their site. You should be able to tell them when you expect to be absent from the site (e.g.,
internship interviews during December and January). These details were managed for you during
the completion of your required practica, but having advanced to eligibility for field experience,
you are responsible for determining the parameters of your involvement.
Most sites will expect you to complete two consecutive semesters of field experience. Most sites
will expect you to set a schedule and adhere to it. While some sites may allow you some
discretion in your schedule (e.g., going home when a client cancels), most sites will expect you to
spend a certain number of hours at the site. You should plan to discuss the degree of flexibility
that you need/want preferably during the interview with the site, but certainly BEFORE
accepting an offer from a site.
Field experiences, although electives, are not simply “add on's” to one’s program. They are a
primary obligation to which one has agreed—obligations that have significant implications for the
staff and clientele of the site at which one is placed. Discontinuing a field experience can have
significant consequences for a variety of individuals. For this reason, discontinuing a class or
reducing one’s other work responsibilities may take precedence over discontinuing an arranged
field experience.
Students are not allowed to terminate their field experience at will. If you find that you need to
significantly alter or terminate a field experience agreement, you must first consult with the
practicum coordinator and your faculty sponsor or training director. You should expect to secure
the permission of these individuals as well as the permission of your site supervisor(s) before you
will be allowed to prematurely terminate your placement. The parties involved may ask you to
arrange a meeting during which your termination request will be discussed.
If you fail to meet your obligations to the site, including the professional management of a request
for prematurely terminating the field experience agreement, you should be prepared to be
dismissed by the site for unprofessional conduct. You should further expect that failing to meet
your obligations to a site (regardless of whether or not you are officially dismissed by the site)
may result in CPSY taking any or all of the following disciplinary actions(s): (a) permanent
suspension of eligibility for clinical placement, (b) a grade of “unsatisfactory” for the current
semester of field experience, and (c) additional consequences as determined by the CPSY faculty,
which could include dismissal from the program for unprofessional or unethical conduct.
Practicum Tape Security Procedures
All practica in the Counseling Psychology programs at the University of Kansas are strongly
encouraged to require taping of therapy sessions for review by onsite supervisors. When allowed
by the site, students periodically will bring a tape of a session to campus to be reviewed as part of
a case presentation to the practicum class, or to be reviewed by their practicum instructor or a
doctoral student serving as a practicum consultant.
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Security of these tapes is absolutely critical, thus every effort must be made to ensure the security
of tapes brought to campus or taken off site by practicum students for their own review. Different
practicum sites have their own policies for how such tapes should be tracked, but at a minimum:
1. Students must discuss with their onsite supervisor the taping and removal of any tapes from the
site, specifically how to keep track of such tapes, and procedures for bringing tapes to campus.
2. Any client who is taped must have been informed of how the tapes might be used, and must
have signed an informed consent statement that specifically gives the student permission to play
portions of the tape for their practicum class.
3. Prior to removing a tape from the practicum site, students must ensure there are no markings on
the tape or its packaging that in any way identify the client or the site.
In many agencies, to further guard against possible problems, the student must go through the
recording itself and record over passages that make reference to the client's or anyone else's name,
the name of the agency, and any other identifying references.
Required Functions Outside of Class Time
Students should anticipate that there will occasionally be program-related activities that will
require them to attend functions outside of class time. Examples include practicum application,
orientation, and interview preparation. In addition, some practicum sites require students to be
present at their site over Thanksgiving, Winter, and/or Spring breaks.
Supervision and Consultation of Practicum Students
PRE 842: Students are to receive 1 hour of weekly supervision (provided by the on-site
supervisor) plus one hour of weekly on-campus consultation and skill-building by either the
practicum instructor or an assigned doctoral student clinical consultant.
PRE 948: Students are to receive 1 hour of weekly supervision, provided by the onsite
supervisor. There is no on-campus supervision/consultation requirement, although practicum
instructors are expected to monitor student progress in practicum class, and meet with students on
an as-needed basis.
PRE 949: Students are to receive 1 hour of weekly supervision provided by the onsite
supervisor. Students do not meet with a practicum class once a week, but they do receive regular
consultation from the Practicum Coordinator, typically meeting in a small group once per month.
Policy On Dismissal From Counseling Practicum
Students’ performance in practica, field experience or internship is an important area of student
evaluation. If, upon the recommendation of the student's onsite supervisor and a performance
review by the program faculty, a student is dismissed from a practicum, a field experience, or an
37
internship, the student may be dismissed from the program for failure to meet the program's
expectations for the quantity or quality of clinical work or supervision during counseling practica
or the student's predoctoral internship. (See Student Evaluation and Retention Policy in the CPSY
Policies and Procedures Manual (at http://pre.soe.ku.edu/documents-and-resources) for more
information).
When problems of an interpersonal, organizational and/or attitudinal nature threaten the success
of a practicum placement, it is the policy of the Counseling Psychology Program to assess the
situation and gather other relevant data about the alleged problem or problems. This could include
interviewing those involved, which could include the student, practicum supervisor or other
related officials, and clients of the agency. The practicum instructor and the Practicum
Coordinator, acting on behalf of the faculty, will make a determination concerning the gravity of
the situation and identify opportunities for potential rectification or remediation. If a written plan
can be developed with clear guidelines and objectives to correct identified problems, this will be
proposed to the faculty for their approval. If a remediation plan fails due to the actions or inaction
of a student, a course grade of "Unsatisfactory" will be assigned to the practicum or field
experience, which may lead to dismissal from the program.
Students may be dismissed from the practicum site for the following reasons:
1.
Violation of procedures, policies, or ethics of the cooperating practicum agency as
judged by the agency or the faculty supervisor. This would include such behaviors as
violations of confidence, deliberately and continually disobeying a supervisor, acting in
such a way as to put clients or agency staff in physical or emotional jeopardy, acting in
such a way as to place the agency in an ineffective or extremely embarrassing position, or
other such deliberate and continual acts, misconduct, or infractions of rules.
2.
Acting in an unprofessional manner. Students may be dismissed for engaging in
unprofessional behavior, as judged by the site supervisor or faculty instructor, that severely
diminishes the effectiveness of the agency; places clients, staff, or innocent bystanders in
physical and/or emotional jeopardy; tends to represent self as having more authority,
control, power, credentials, or ability than that of an agency practicum student; or any other
unprofessional behavior that seriously calls into question an individual student’s ability to
handle the demands of the practicum.
3.
Gross incompetence or negligence. As judged by the site supervisor or faculty instructor,
so as to endanger the physical and/or psychological health of clients, staff, or others, having
the effect of creating unnecessary risks and dangers for clients, staff, or the general public.
Dismissal for cause (i.e., due to serious ethical or criminal behavior) is often clear-cut and other
Student Conduct policies of the University usually come into play. The due process procedures of
these policies are followed in such instances. See Policies Governing Due Process elsewhere in
this document for more information.
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The Practicum Coordinator nor the faculty instructor nor any member of the CPSY faculty has
any responsibility to secure a new practicum site for a student who has been dismissed under
these circumstances.
Other Circumstances Necessitating Removal from a Practicum Site
1.
It can happen that a personality conflict or other understandable set of circumstances can
result in a situation where the student is unable to meet the expectations of the site supervisor
or agency. Ultimately, if a site supervisor is unable or unwilling to work with a student, the
practicum placement will be terminated. Assigning fault in such situations can be
challenging; often all parties have some culpability. The student's demonstrated integrity and
efforts to make the placement work are relevant for what may happen next. It may be
appropriate to allow the student to start anew in a different placement. This "clean slate"
allows the student to start over and earn a grade commensurate with his or her effort in the
new placement. The Practicum Coordinator will attempt to secure a new practicum site for a
student who has been removed from a site under these circumstances.
2.
Students may be removed from a practicum site by request of the site supervisor or practicum
instructor. An agency may request removal of a practicum student for situational reasons
peculiar to that agency (e.g., inability to give proper supervision). Students should be aware
that the faculty instructor may withdraw a student at any time from a practicum if it is felt
that the student either is being psychosocially and/or physically damaged by the experience
or is being inadequately supervised. The Practicum Coordinator will attempt to secure a new
practicum site for a student who has been removed from a site under these circumstances.
Social Media Issues for CPSY Students
Students who use social networking sites (e.g., Facebook, MySpace, etc.) and other forms of
electronic communication should be mindful of how their communication may be perceived by
clients, colleagues, faculty, and other mental health professionals. As such, students should
make every effort to minimize visual or printed material that may be deemed inappropriate for a
professional counselor or psychologist. To this end, students should set all security settings to
“private” and should avoid posting information/photos and avoid using any language that could
jeopardize their professional image. Students should consider limiting the amount of personal
information posted on these sites and should never include clients, undergraduate or graduate
students (for whom they have served as an instructor) as part of their social network, since
doing so constitutes a boundary violation. Additionally, any information that might lead to the
identification of a client or represent a violation of client confidentiality is a breach of the
ethical standards that govern the practice of counselors, psychologists and mental health
professionals in training. Engaging in these types of actions could result in dismissal from
the program.
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RESEARCH OPTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE MASTER'S DEGREE
As one goal of the Master's program is to provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate
skill in the integration of scientific and practice-related knowledge, students elect to complete one
of the research options outlined below. To gain the requisite skills to complete the research
options, students are required to complete additional coursework. These classes satisfy the
Research Component requirements and are divided between students who choose the Master’s
Thesis option, students who choose one of the Master’s Project options, and students who choose
the written comprehensive examination option. The best option for your research component is
decided on collaboratively between you and your advisor. The Thesis and Project options all
require a defense (of the thesis or the project).
If a student has been taking credits toward the thesis or project, and then decides to take the CPCE
instead, they either forfeit the hours of thesis/project (if they do not finish it), or they can switch to
Independent Study hours (through Drop-Add) and still receive credit for completing the work.
OPTION
COURSE TITLE
CREDIT
Option 1
PRE 898: Master’s Project
3 hrs
Prior or concurrent enrollment in PRE 715 is a prerequisite
for PRE 898.
Option 2
PRE 710: Intro to Statistical Analysis
PRE 711: Intro to Statistical Analysis Lab
PRE 899: Master’s Thesis
Prior or concurrent enrollment in PRE 710/711 AND
PRE 715 are required for PRE 899.
Option 3
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE)
All coursework except electives must be complete prior
to or during the semester in which the exam in taken.
You must be enrolled during the semester you take the exam.
Additional Elective: Chosen in consultation with advisor
3 hrs
If you choose the CPCE option, you are required
to take at least one elective as part of your program plan.
3 hrs
1 hr
3 hrs
A. Master’s Thesis
This should be a theory-driven empirical test of a specific hypothesis. The design may be
quantitative or qualitative and should include the actual collection of data. The thesis culminates
in a high quality manuscript written in APA style. The format generally consists of five chapters:
Introduction, Review of the Literature, Method, Results, and Discussion. For those who plan to
carry on research as a major component of their career or who plan to pursue a more advanced
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degree, the thesis option is often recommended. Once defended, students file their thesis on-line.
Instructions for formatting and submitting these documents are at the Graduate Studies website
link Electronic Thesis and Dissertations.
B. Master’s Project Option I
Integrative Review of the Literature. To demonstrate the student’s integration of science and
practice, the student choosing this option should synthesize the available literature on a topic
relevant to counseling psychology. In addition, the review must make a contribution by providing
new knowledge by articulating connections between ideas or findings where none existed before.
The final product should follow APA style and be a minimum of 50 pages and include about 4050 citations.
C. Master’s Project Option II
Integrative Case Study. For this option, the student chooses a case they have personally worked
with in practicum. The student reviews the literature relevant to the primary concern (diagnosis,
developmental concern, etc.). The case is discussed relative to the literature findings, conclusions
are drawn, similarities and differences are examined, and important research results that can be
generalized to other clients with similar problems are discussed. The final product is a 50-page
manuscript written in APA style with about 40-50 citations.
D. Master’s Project Option III
Program/Curriculum Development. For this option, the student identifies a specific issue, student
profile, type of agency, or type of intervention related to counseling. The student then reviews the
relevant literature focusing on developing an intervention which will address the topic. Finally, an
intervention or curriculum is proposed in sufficient detail to allow future practitioners to replicate it.
The project should be a stand-alone product, such that anyone with similar master’s degree training
should be able to pick up the manual and provide the intervention.
Examining Committee for MS Thesis or Project
Master’s examinations are administered by a committee of at least three members of the Graduate
Faculty. Typically it consists of the candidates’ advisor and two additional Graduate Faculty. The
Master’s thesis or Project examination committee consists of 3 members of the faculty. At least 2
must be CPSY faculty members with the other member from any department (including PRE). No
more than 1 committee member may hold an Ad Hoc or Special graduate appointment.
Note:
Regular graduate faculty are tenured or tenure-track faculty at KU.
Special graduate faculty are not tenure-track, but teach at KU (Bartell, Hensley, Mikinski)
Ad Hoc graduate faculty are non-KU persons with a doctorate appointed for a specific committee.
E. Comprehensive Examination Option - CPCE
One of the research options for completing the MS degree includes passing the Counselor
Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE). As a general rule, the test administration will
take place once in the Fall Semester and once in the Spring Semester. This is a nationally
administered exam, which is utilized by over 130 universities. The examination takes
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approximately 2-3 hours and is administered on the Lawrence Campus. It is a 160-item multiple
choice examination that covers eight areas. Study materials are on reserve at both the Lawrence
and the Edwards campuses. You should also review your PRE class notes and texts.
Areas Covered in the CPCE:
1. Human Growth and Development
2. Social and Cultural Foundations
3. Helping Relationships
4. Group Work
5. Career and Lifestyle Development
6. Appraisal
7. Research and Program Evaluation
8. Professional Orientation and Ethics
• The cutoff score for passing is one standard error below the national mean of the tests
administered over the previous year.
• Students may have no more than 6 credit hours of uncompleted coursework (including
Incompletes) in regularly scheduled courses required in their graduate program at the time of the
comprehensive exam. Practicum is not counted as part of the 6 hours.
• Students will have two chances to pass the examination. If a student fails twice, he or she will
be required to complete one of the other research options.
• Students who pass the CPCE and also complete the thesis or project option can use up to 3
hours of thesis or project as elective hours. If a student is currently enrolled in thesis or project
hours and wishes to continue with the research after passing the CPCE, the student should change
the research hours to Independent Study in order to have the credits count toward graduation.
The cost of the examination is $45.00 (subject to change).
For more information about the exam, see these sites:
Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc.
http://www.cce-global.org
Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam
http://www.cce-global.org/Org/CPCE
National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates
http://www.nbcc.org/
The CPCE Registration Form for the can be found at CPSY Program-Related Forms (at
http://pre.soe.ku.edu/documents-and-resources).
42
ON USING M.S. AFTER YOUR NAME
Once you have finished all of the course requirements and passed the CPCE or defended your
thesis or project and submitted it electronically, it is appropriate to list M.S. after your name, even
though you may not yet have gone through graduation ceremonies or been officially awarded the
degree.
STATEMENT REGARDING STUDENTS’ EMPLOYMENT AS PROVIDERS OF
PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
Questions arise occasionally regarding our students’ employment as “providers of psychological
services” and the conditions surrounding their employment. The Counseling Psychology Program
offers a graduate program for the training of counseling psychologists that is accredited by the
American Psychological Association. The faculty, as sponsors of that program, acknowledge and
affirm the Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA, 2010)
and its Specialty Guidelines for the Delivery of Services (APA, 1981).
In regard to providing counseling psychological services by graduate students in this department,
the following guidelines (from APA’s Specialty Guidelines for the Delivery of Services by
Counseling Psychologists) should be noted.
PROVIDERS OF COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES: This term subsumes
two categories of providers of counseling psychological services. These are (a)
professional counseling psychologists and (b) all other persons who offer counseling
psychological services under the supervision of a counseling psychologist.
Professional counseling psychologists have a doctoral degree from an organized,
sequential, counseling psychology program in a regionally accredited university or
professional school. The program of study is provided in a department of psychology in a
university or college, or in an appropriate department or other similar unit of a
professional school. Only counseling psychologists, i.e., those who meet these education
and training requirements, have the minimum professional qualifications to provide
unsupervised counseling psychological services.
Guidelines 1.2: Providers of counseling psychological services who do not meet the
requirements for being a professional counseling psychologist are supervised directly by a
professional counseling psychologist who assumes professional responsibility and
accountability for the services provided. The level and extent of supervision may vary
from task to task, so long as the supervising psychologist retains a sufficiently close
supervisory relationship to meet this standard. Special proficiency training or supervision
may be provided by professional psychologists of other specialties or by a professional of
another discipline whose competence in the given area has been demonstrated by previous
training and experience.
43
Consistent with the above:
1.
Graduate students in the Department are not to engage in providing unsupervised counseling
psychological services for a fee under any circumstances.
2.
Graduate students in the Department who wish to engage in the supervised practice of
providing counseling psychological services should inform the Department of their intent
and provide documentation of suitable supervisory arrangements prior to engaging in that
practice.
3.
Even when engaging in permissible practices or consulting activity, graduate students may
not use their affiliation with the University of Kansas, the School of Education, or the
department/program as a “professional credential,” either explicitly or implicitly, without
the written consent of the faculty.
Specialty guidelines for the delivery of services by Counseling Psychologists.” [APA (1981),
Specialty Guidelines for the Delivery of Services, Washington, DC: APA.]
KU STATEMENT ON THE PURPOSES AND GOALS OF ACADEMIC INQUIRY
The statement below is part of the University of Kansas statement of mission:
Values. The university is committed to excellence. It fosters a multicultural environment in which
the dignity and rights of the individual are respected. Intellectual diversity, integrity and
disciplined inquiry in the search for knowledge are of paramount importance.
The University recognizes the wide panoply of beliefs and views that comprises our increasingly
disparate society. This disparity makes it ever more imperative that the academy remain a place
where the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge based on evidence obtained through
recognized disciplinary methods are the central purposes of our existence. The classroom should
be a place of lively debate where differing opinions are welcome. However, it is the mutual
responsibility of the instructor and the students to maintain at all times a civil forum for inquiry
and discussion that has as its goal further mastery of the subject matter. It is also the instructor’s
responsibility to help students recognize that there are subjects that can be defined by tangible
evidence gained through the scientific method and through scholarly research. These subjects are
the raison d’etre of the academy and are the building blocks upon which new knowledge will be
discovered. They must not be confused with matters of faith that are rightly in the realm of
individuals’ private beliefs and are not the business of public higher education.
In 1946, Howard Lee Nostrand, Professor of Romance Languages at the University of
Washington, wrote: “General education means the whole development of an individual, apart
from his occupational training. It includes the civilizing of his life purposes, the refining of his
emotional reactions, and the maturing of his understanding about the nature of things according to
the best knowledge of our time.” *
44
While the intervention of 60 years dates the gender choice of this sentiment, the passage of years
has not changed by one iota the purpose of higher education. Education remains the hope of
society for advancement and improvement. Contemporary passions must not alter our mission or
warp our direction. *Quoted in Henry Rosovsky’s The University. An Owner’s Manual,” W.W.
Norton & Company, 1990.
STUDENT EVALUATION AND RETENTION
Professional psychologists and counselors are expected to demonstrate competence within and
across a number of different but interrelated dimensions. Training programs also strive to protect
the public and the professions. Therefore, faculty, training staff, supervisors, and administrators in
such programs have a duty and responsibility to evaluate the competence of students and trainees
across multiple aspects of performance, development, and functioning.
It is important for students to understand and appreciate that academic competence in professional
psychology programs (e.g., master, doctoral, and internship programs) is defined and evaluated
comprehensively. Specifically, in addition to performance in coursework, scholarship,
comprehensive examinations, and related program requirements, other aspects of professional
development and functioning (e.g., cognitive, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, technical,
and ethical) are also evaluated. Such comprehensive evaluation is necessary in order for faculty to
appraise the entire range of student academic performance, development, and functioning.
The CPSY program faculty have a professional and ethical commitment to ensure—insofar as
possible—that the students who complete the program are competent to manage future
relationships (e.g., client, collegial, professional, public, scholarly, supervisory, teaching) in an
effective and appropriate manner. Because of this commitment, the faculty strive not to advance,
recommend, or graduate students with demonstrable problems (e.g., cognitive, emotional,
psychological, interpersonal, technical, and ethical) that may interfere with professional
competence to other programs, the profession, employers, or the public at large.
As such, within a developmental framework, students should know that their faculty and
supervisors will evaluate their competence in areas other than, and in addition to, coursework,
seminars, scholarship, comprehensive examinations, or related program requirements. These
evaluative areas include, but are not limited to, demonstration of sufficient: (a) interpersonal and
professional competence (e.g., the ways in which student-trainees relate to clients, peers, faculty,
allied professionals, the public, and individuals from diverse backgrounds or histories), (b) selfawareness, self-reflection, and self-evaluation (e.g., knowledge of the content and potential impact
of one’s own beliefs and values on clients, peers, faculty, allied professionals, the public, and
individuals from diverse backgrounds or histories), (c) openness to processes of supervision (e.g.,
the ability and willingness to explore issues that either interfere with the appropriate provision of
care or impede professional development or functioning), and (d) resolution of issues or problems
that interfere with professional development or functioning in a satisfactory manner.
This policy is applicable to settings and contexts in which evaluation would appropriately occur
(e.g., coursework, practica, supervision), rather than settings and contexts that are unrelated to the
formal process of education and training (e.g., non-academic, social contexts). However,
45
irrespective of setting or context, when a student’s conduct clearly and demonstrably (a) impacts
the performance, development, or functioning of the student, (b) raises questions of an ethical
nature, (c) represents a risk to public safety, or (d) damages the representation of psychology to
the profession or public, appropriate representatives of the program may review such conduct
within the context of the program’s evaluation processes.
Although the purpose of this policy is to inform students that evaluation will occur in these areas,
the faculty emphasize that the program’s evaluation processes and content:
1. have as their primary goals: [a] facilitating student development, [b] enhancing student
self-awareness, self-reflection, and self-assessment, [c] emphasizing strengths as well as
areas for improvement, and [d] assisting in the development of remediation plans when
necessary,
2. involve more than one source of information regarding the evaluative area(s) in question
(e.g., across supervisors and settings); and
3. include opportunities for remediation—provided that the faculty and supervisors conclude
that satisfactory remediation is possible for a given student.
Students’ academic and professional performance is evaluated on an on-going and
continuous basis, through mechanisms including but not limited to course work evaluation,
student annual evaluation, practicum and field experience evaluation, comprehensive exams, and
thesis and dissertation projects. Moreover, at any point during the student's matriculation through
the program, students can be evaluated and contacted if there are any concerns.
Examples of triggers for ad hoc review include:
a) Unsatisfactory performance in course work (obtaining lower than B- in required courses).
b) Unsatisfactory performance in counseling practice courses (counseling skills course,
practicum, field experience, or internship).
c) Academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating or plagiarism).
d) Unprofessional or unethical conduct (either in clinical or nonclinical settings).
e) Behaviors that obstruct the training or threaten the welfare of others (e.g. substance abuse
or violent behavior).
f) Failure to comply with policies or requirements of the program, department, the school,
or university (e.g., failure to meet the time limit for degree completion).
g) Behavior or performance that causes the faculty concerns.
h) Criminal conviction of misconduct that affects the ability to practice as a counselor or
psychologist or to be licensed as such.
Minimal Levels of Acceptable Achievement
Course grades: Students must receive B- or above (or "credit" for credit/no credit courses,
"satisfactory" for satisfactory/unsatisfactory courses) for all required courses toward the doctoral
degree. When a student receives more than two course grades below B-, the student is dismissed
46
from the program. Any course grade below B- automatically triggers a review of their standing in
the program. If the course in question is a required part of their doctoral program (and thus
represents an area for which they must meet minimal acceptable achievement), the student will be
placed on a remediation plan (see below for details) to allow them to acquire competence in the
area. The remediation typically involves re-taking the same course, but alternative options may be
allowed under some circumstances that faculty deem warrant a remediation action other than
retaking the course.
Practicum, Field Experience, and Internship: In all practica, field experience, and internship,
students are required to demonstrate the required minimal level of clinical competency by scoring
"Acceptable" or higher in all areas of assessment and obtaining "credit" for all credit/no credit
courses.
For specific information on dismissal from practicum, see "Unsatisfactory performance in
counseling practica or internship" elsewhere in this document for more information.
Annual evaluation: Students must receive a score of 2 (On Schedule or Meeting Expectations)
(unless N/A) or higher on all 16 competencies.
Areas of assessment:
Academic Performance and Performance in Clinical Practice: Based on the ScientistPractitioner training model, students are evaluated on their coursework, scholarship, clinical
competence, comprehensive examinations, dissertation, and other program required work. At any
time when concerns arise or lower than "Acceptable" ratings or grades are given in these areas
on the practicum student evaluation form or by relevant course instructors or student advisors, an
evaluation of the student is triggered.
Professional and Ethical Conduct: Students are expected to follow APA ethics principles
and codes of conduct, honor our program's value statement, adhere to our program policies and
procedures, and act professionally and ethically at all times during their matriculation in the
program. Faculty, supervisors, and other training staff have a professional, ethical, and potentially
legal obligation to ensure as much as possible that students graduating from the program are
competent to manage relationships with clients, colleagues, the public, supervisees and students
in an appropriate manner, and do not engage in unethical behaviors such as committing academic
dishonesty and neglecting professional responsibilities. Therefore, students’ professional
development and functioning (e.g., cognitive, emotional, psychological, interpersonal, and ethical)
are evaluated on an ongoing and continuous basis. At any time when concerns arise or lower than
Acceptable ratings or grades are given in this area on the practicum student evaluation form or
by relevant course instructors or student advisors, an evaluation of the student is triggered.
Diversity and Cultural Competence. Consistent with our program training values, students
are expected to develop diversity and cultural competence through engagement in learning, selfreflection, staying open to supervision, and other processes. Student performance in this area is
evaluated on an on-going basis (it is also included in the annual evaluation). At any time when
concerns arise or lower than Acceptable ratings or grades are given in this area on the practicum
47
student evaluation form or by relevant course instructors or academic advisors, an evaluation of
the student is triggered.
Comprehensive Annual Evaluation of Doctoral Students
(Annual Review of Masters students is being developed)
The Annual Evaluation data consist of both information provided by the student in the
Student Annual Evaluation Portfolio, and the faculty evaluation of the student. The review
cycle is based on the calendar year. Information about the annual evaluation portfolio is
emailed to students every year in December. Students are responsible for completing and
submitting it to their advisor by the first day of class in the Spring semester. The faculty meet to
evaluate each student in February/March. The student is responsible for scheduling a meeting with
the advisor to receive and discuss the evaluation results by April 15th.
Consistent with the program training goals and objectives, students will be evaluated
on the following 16 areas. A rating of 2 or higher in all of the areas (unless "No Basis" due to
sequence of training activities) is required. Otherwise, a plan for improvement or a
remediation plan or an equivalent action will be taken to address areas of concerns.
1= Behind Schedule or Below Expectations
2= On Schedule or Meeting Expectations
3= Ahead of Schedule or Above Expectations
1. Ability development in integrating theory, research, and practice.
1
2
3
No basis
2. Research skill development.
1
2
3
No basis
3. Research involvement.
1
2
3
No basis
4. Overall academic performance.
1
2
3
No basis
5. Development of clinical competence.
1
2
3
No basis
6. Respecting cultural and individual differences.
1
2
3
No basis
7. Ability development in responding effectively to legal and ethical
issues.
1
2
3
No basis
8. Development of professional identity as a counseling psychologist.
1
2
3
No basis
9. Progress in developing a specialty area.
1
2
3
No basis
10. Development of awareness of one's own strengths and areas for
growth.
1
2
3
No basis
11. Development of a life-long learning attitude.
1
2
3
No basis
48
12. Overall classroom behavior.
1
2
3
No basis
13. Professional behavior.
1
2
3
No basis
14. Interpersonal relationships.
1
2
3
No basis
15. Ability development in collaborating with other professionals.
1
2
3
No basis
16. Receiving and implementing feedback.
1
2
3
No basis
After the evaluation, students will be informed of faculty decisions on their progress via letters
from their academic advisors.
Results of Evaluation
Students may receive one of the following five statuses after each faculty evaluation:
1) Satisfactory: Students whose performance is deemed by the faculty as satisfactory in all
areas at their level will receive a "Satisfactory" rating.
2) Less than Satisfactory: Students who are deemed by the faculty as not making
satisfactory progress in one or more of the evaluation areas will receive a letter notifying
them of the "Less than Satisfactory" evaluation and a suggested course of action from the
faculty to address the concerned area(s). The student is responsible for contacting the
advisor within 30 days to develop a concrete plan for improvement or a remediation plan.
The advisor will present the plan to the faculty for approval, with a recommendation as to
the disposition. Failure to submit or comply with a plan for improvement or a remediation
plan will result in the student being placed on probation or dismissed from the program.
3) Probation: Students will be placed on probation for a maximum of two consecutive
semesters due to:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
Failure to meet any university requirements for maintaining active standing (e.g.,
GPA, meeting deadlines for completing requirements, etc.)
A repeated pattern of Less than Satisfactory evaluation
Failure to achieve acceptable outcomes required by a remediation plan
Failure to pursue or show any progress toward the degree after two years from the
date of a doctoral student's admission to the program
Serious unethical or unprofessional behavior at any time during the student’s
matriculation in the program (depending on the nature of ethical and
professional violations, the student may be dismissed from program without
probation).
4) Involuntary Leave of Absence: When a student meets one or more of the conditions
specified for probation, and the faculty has serious concerns about the student’s ability to
49
effectively address all concerns while attending school, the student may be asked to take an
involuntary leave of absence for a pre-determined period of time (no longer than two
consecutive semesters) as part of the remediation process. While being on leave of absence,
the student does not have access to the faculty or other university resources. At the end of the
leave of absence period, the student is responsible to make a petition in writing to the faculty
for reinstatement. The student also needs to discuss the reasons that s/he should be reinstated
and submit evidence of progress, improvement, or growth obtained during the leave. The
faculty will review the student’s progress and vote to either re-instate the student to
Satisfactory status or to dismiss the student from the program. This decision requires two
thirds vote of the faculty.
5) Dismissal from the Program
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
If for any reason a student fails to remove his/her "Probation Status" after two
consecutive semesters, the student will be dismissed.
If a student receives a permanent "Unsatisfactory" grade for a practicum, field
experience, or internship, the student will be dismissed.
If a student receives more than two permanent grades lower than B- in required
courses, the student will be dismissed.
If a student fails to pass the comprehensive examinations after three attempts, the
student will be dismissed.
If a student shows a repeated pattern of Less than Satisfactory evaluation ratings and
fails to follow through with the remediation plan, the student will be dismissed.
If a student exhibits serious unethical or unprofessional behavior in any of the
professional areas (e.g., practicum/field experience/internship site, GA work
settings, interpersonal relationships with faculty, staff, peers, etc.), the student
will be dismissed.
Notes:
1) No faculty vote is necessary to put a student on Probation, Involuntary Leave of Absence,
or Dismissal, if the student clearly meets one or more conditions listed under the
decision status.
2) In any other circumstances, the program decision to place a student on Probation,
Involuntary Leave of Absence, or Dismissal status requires a two-thirds vote of the
Counseling Psychology faculty.
3) For students put on Probation or Involuntary Leave of Absence, a written remediation plan
is required to clearly articulate the reasons for the faculty decision and expectations
about what the student needs to do to regain Satisfactory status. See Remediation Section
below for details.
4) Dismissal is a terminal decision, no opportunity for remediation will be offered.
Remediation
When a student receives Less than Satisfactory, Probation, or Involuntary Leave of
Absence ratings, a remediation plan is to follow unless one or more of the criteria under Dismissal
is met.
50
A plan for improvement or a remediation plan may be proposed by the student in
consultation with his/her advisor or by the program faculty. The final written plan must be approved
by the faculty and accepted by the student with a written response.
After the implementation of the plan, the student is responsible for submitting a written
request for faculty review, along with evidence for improvement or success of remediation. Upon
review of the student request and the remediation implementation, the faculty may take one of the
following actions: (a) agree that the plan has been completed satisfactorily; (b) find the student’s
completion of the plan unsatisfactory and ask for further remediation; or (c) dismiss the student
from the program.
Note: Decisions about all conditions that require remediation will be communicated to the
student in writing by the student advisor or the Director of Training. The student will be
informed of the reasons for a plan for improvement or a remediation plan and specific
expectations of what he/she needs to do to return to Satisfactory status. At the end of the
remediation period, the approval of the advisor and an affirmative majority vote of the
Counseling Psychology faculty is required to return the student to satisfactory status.
Student Right to Appeal Faculty Decisions
In all of the above situations, students have the right to appeal faculty decisions and
remediation plans. These appeals can be made to the counseling psychology faculty, the PRE
department chair, the Dean of the SOE, or the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. In all
cases, appeals must be made in writing within the time frame provided. Additionally, please see
the current SOE Graduate Student Handbook for specific steps.
POLICY REGARDING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN
CPSY FACULTY AND SITE SUPERVISORS
Masters and doctoral training involves collaboration and partnerships with multiple training sites,
including practicum placements, doctoral internship training programs, and others, such as
research labs and other academic departments. Communication between training programs and
these training partners is of critical importance to the overall development of competent new
counselors and psychologists. Therefore, it is the position of our training program that regular
communication about students’ performance and progress must occur between the program
faculty and other training partners, and that the content from this communication will contribute
to regular evaluation of the student’s progress.
POLICIES GOVERNING DUE PROCESS
Policies on Student Conduct
Counselors and psychologists are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner as
practitioners, students, and citizens. Any behavior that violates professional ethics or standards
51
(Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct, APA 2010; Specialty Guidelines for
the Delivery of Services by Counseling Psychologists, APA, 1981), campus regulations
(University of Kansas Student Handbook) or local, state, or federal laws will trigger a faculty
review of the student's conduct, and may result in actions by the faculty including dismissal from
the program. This decision is independent of decisions made at other professional, academic, and
legal levels of academic performance exhibited by the student.
School of Education Student Academic Misconduct Policy
http://soe.ku.edu/policies
School of Education Academic Misconduct Policy and Procedure Summary
http://soe.ku.edu/sites/soe.drupal.ku.edu/files/docs/documents/academicmisconduct/AcademicMisconductPolicy.pdf
KU Rules and Regulations on Academic Misconduct
Academic misconduct by a student includes, but is not be limited to, disruption of classes;
threatening an instructor or fellow student in an academic setting; giving or receiving of
unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of notebooks, themes, reports or other
assignments; knowingly misrepresenting the source of any academic work; unauthorized change
of grades; unauthorized use of University approvals or forging of signatures; falsification of
research results, plagiarizing of another's work; violation of regulations or ethical codes for the
treatment of human and animal subjects; or otherwise acting dishonestly in research.
USRR 2.6.2 describes the process that is to be followed in treating work as unsatisfactory if it is a
product of academic misconduct. After consultation with the Department Chairperson, an
instructor may, with due notice to the student, treat as unsatisfactory (1) any student work that is
the product of academic misconduct or (2) a student's performance for a course when there are
severe or repeated instances of academic misconduct as defined in Section 2.6.1. If an instructor
deems other sanctions for academic misconduct by a student to be advisable, or if a student
wishes to protest a grade based upon work judged by an instructor to be the product of academic
misconduct, or if a faculty member is charged with academic misconduct in connection with the
assignment of a grade or otherwise, the case shall be reported to the Dean of the College or
School in which the course is offered and processed in accord with applicable procedures.
The complete text of the USRR on academic misconduct is available at
https://documents.ku.edu/policies/governance/USRR.htm - art2sect6
DISMISSAL POLICY
The dismissal of a student from the program (M.S. or Ph.D.) is a significant event for both the
student and the program faculty and represents the conclusion of the faculty that the student has
not demonstrated an adequate level of competence in either academic or clinical skills, or in other
critical areas of professional conduct. Action of the program toward the dismissal of a student is
generally the final outcome of several informal and formal communications with the student
52
regarding his or her unsatisfactory progress through the program and, when appropriate, special
efforts at helping the student meet program requirements and training objectives. The final
program decision regarding whether or not a student should be terminated from the program, or
under what conditions a student making unsatisfactory progress will be allowed to continue, is a
decision that rests with the program faculty.
The University of Kansas and the faculty of the department are committed to principles of
fairness and due process in the implementation of dismissal actions. The University's Code of
Student Rights and Responsibilities describes the rights of each student at the university. Students
should make themselves aware of their rights, as well as their responsibilities. The complete text
of the Code is online at http://www.ku.edu/~vcstuaff/rights.shtml; it is also available at the Office
for Student Success, 133 Strong Hall. The university also has policies against racial and ethnic
harassment and against sexual harassment, copies of which also may be obtained from the Office
of Student Success. Rules regarding academic misconduct appear in Article II, Sec. 6 of the Rules
and Regulations of the University Senate. A copy of those rules are contained in the KU Student
Handbook.
Triggers for faculty review that could warrant a remediation plan or dismissal from the program
A student's advancement through his or her academic program from one semester to the next is
contingent upon satisfactory progress each semester. Satisfactory progress entails that the student
maintains adequate progress in gaining knowledge, skills, competencies, and behaviors required
for graduation and professional practice.
Students are formally reviewed by program faculty once each calendar year; however, faculty
retain the right and responsibility to review, at any time, any student circumstances or
performances that may negatively affect the student's completion of the program, competencies
for individual professional practice, or that may threaten client welfare. The following are offered
as examples of circumstances or performances that may trigger a review by the faculty that could
lead to a remediation plan or may be the basis for dismissal:
a. failure to maintain minimum academic standards
b. unsatisfactory performance in counseling practica courses (e.g., counseling labs, field
experiences, practica) or internship
c. academic misconduct or dishonesty
d. criminal conviction of misconduct that affects ability to practice as a counselor or
psychologist or to be licensed as such
e. failure to comply with established university or program timetables and requirements
f. unethical practices and/or unprofessional conduct
g. cognitive, affective, and/or behavioral impairments that obstruct the training process and/or
threaten client welfare
The following subsections are offered to clarify the above listed bases for student dismissal.
53
1. Failure to maintain minimum academic standards
A student is placed on academic probation by the Office of Graduate Studies whenever her/his
cumulative graduate GPA drops below 3.0. Students on probation have one semester to raise their
GPA to 3.0 and return to Regular status. A student failing to meet this requirement will not be
permitted to re-enroll unless recommended by the Department and approved by the School of
Education Graduate Office.
Within the Counseling Psychology Program, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better in
prescribed program course work, or else be placed on "departmental probation." Permission to
enroll following placement on departmental probation will be given only if it is numerically
possible for the student to remove her/himself from probation during the next semester through
the completion of prescribed program coursework.
As a matter of departmental policy, no "I's" (Incompletes) may accrue during a probationary
semester, and any "I's" assigned prior to the probationary period must be completed by the end of
the probationary semester.
Also as a matter of departmental policy, students may not accrue more than two grades lower that
B- in their graduate program--whether those courses are PRE courses or courses taken through
other departments. A third grade lower than B- in the program will result in the student's dismissal
from the program.
Students may not be on probation at the time of enrollment in a practicum or clinical field
experience. Any pre-enrollment in a practicum or field experience is contingent on a student
maintaining a satisfactory graduate GPA (3.0 or better).
2. Unsatisfactory performance in counseling practica or internship
Upon the recommendation of the student's onsite supervisor and a performance review by the
program faculty, a student may be dismissed from the program for failure to meet the program's
expectations for the quantity or quality of clinical work or supervision during counseling practica
or the student's predoctoral internship.
3. Academic dishonesty
Academic misconduct or dishonesty by a student includes, but is not limited to, disruption of
classes, giving or receiving of unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of
notebooks, themes, reports or other assignments, or knowingly misrepresenting the source of any
academic work, falsification of research results, plagiarizing of another's work, violation of
regulations or ethical codes for the treatment of human and animal subjects, or otherwise acting
dishonestly in research.
An instructor may, with due notice to the student, treat as unsatisfactory any student work which
is a product of academic misconduct. If an instructor deems other judicatory action for academic
misconduct by a student to be advisable, or if a student wishes to protest a grade based upon work
54
judged by an instructor to be a product of academic misconduct, the case shall be reported to the
dean of the school in which the course is offered. Each school shall establish, at the department
level where feasible, appropriate mechanisms for action upon such reports. (A copy of the
grievance procedures used by the department and the School of Education are available in the
departmental office.)
The following sanctions may be imposed upon a student for academic misconduct:
1. Admonition: An oral statement that his or her present actions constitute academic
misconduct.
2. Warning: An oral or written statement that continuation or repetition of actions that
constitute academic misconduct may be the cause for a more severe disciplinary
sanction.
2. Censure: A written reprimand for actions which constitute academic misconduct. Censure
may include a written warning.
3. Reduction of grade: Treating as unsatisfactory any work which is a product of academic
misconduct. Reduction of grade may include the awarding of an F in the course.
4. Disciplinary probation: Exclusion from participation in specified privileges or
extracurricular activities for a period not exceeding one school year.
5. Suspension: Exclusion from classes and other specified privileges or activities for a
definite period not in excess of two years.
6. Expulsion: Termination of student status for an indefinite period. The condition of
readmission, if any, shall be stated in the order of expulsion.
7. Dismissal
More than one sanction may be imposed upon a student for the same offense or offenses.
4. Criminal conviction of misconduct that affects ability to practice or be licensed
A student whose conduct, within or outside of the program, has resulted in the conviction of a
crime that would preclude licensing in Kansas (as a psychologist, a licensed masters level
psychotherapist, or a licensed professional counselor) may be dismissed from the program by vote
of the faculty.
5. Failure to comply with established university or program timetables and
requirements
The Office of Graduate Studies policy permits master's students seven (7) years from the time of
their admission to complete their degree. Doctoral students are permitted eight (8) years from the
time of their admission to doctoral study to complete their degree. For master's students, in cases
where more than eight years are needed to complete the degree, the appropriate appeals body of
the School of Education will consider petitions for further extensions and, where evidence of
continuous progress, currency of knowledge, and other reasons are compelling, may grant further
extensions.
55
For doctoral students, in cases in which compelling circumstances recommend a one-year
extension of the normal eight-year limit, the Graduate Division of the School of Education has the
authority to grant a one-year time extension on the written advice of the dissertation committee.
In cases where more than nine (9) years are indicated, the appropriate appeals body of the School
or Education considers petitions for extensions and, where evidence of continuous progress,
currency of knowledge, and other reasons are compelling, may grant further extensions.
The above notwithstanding, the Office of Graduate Studies permits graduate departments
authority to set more stringent rulings regarding program time restrictions for both master's and
doctoral programs. The Counseling Psychology Program permits students in either of its
programs a limit of six (6) years for the completion of their degree program. Students petitioning
the department for an extension are expected to document their "continuous progress" and to
show good cause why their work has not been completed.
Doctoral students may petition the Graduate Division through the department for a Leave Of
Absence during either the pre- or post-comprehensive period to pursue full-time professional
activities related to the student's doctoral program and long-range goals. Leaves of absence also
may be granted to masters or doctoral students because of illness or other emergency. Ordinarily a
Leave Of Absence is granted for one (1) year, with the possibility of extension upon request.
After an absence of five (5) years, however, a doctoral student (aspirant or candidate) loses status
as such and, in order to continue, must apply for readmission to the program and to the Graduate
Division.
By graduating a student from one of its programs, the department is certifying that a student is
current with respect to her/his field of study. When granting an extension, the department may, at
its discretion, stipulate that a student retake or supplement coursework in order to maintain
currency in the field.
6. Unethical practices and/or unprofessional conduct
Students are referred to the APA Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (APA,
2010); the Ethical Standards of the American Counseling Association (ACA, 2005). Also see
KAR 102-1-10 (Unprofessional conduct--licensed psychologists), KAR 102-3-12
(Unprofessional conduct--licensed professional counselors), and KAR 102-4-12 (Unprofessional
conduct--licensed masters-level psychotherapists). Violations of professional or state licensing
board ethical and professional standards may result in dismissal from the program.
7. Cognitive, affective, and/or behavioral impairments that obstruct the training process
and/or threaten client welfare
Student conduct which, in the opinion of the faculty and/or the student's supervisors, is the result
of cognitive, affective, or behavioral impairment, and which obstructs, interferes with, or
threatens the training of fellow students or the welfare of clients, students, faculty, or supervisors
may result in student dismissal from the program or referral for remediation. In the case of
referral for remediation, the student may be required to withdraw from classes and may be placed
56
on a Leave Of Absence from the program until such time as the student is able to demonstrate to
the satisfaction of the faculty that s/he is able to return to the program without impairment.
Examples of impairment having the potential for student dismissal or referral include, but are not
limited to: substance abuse; dual relationships with clients or students/supervisees for whom the
student is responsible; passive-aggressive behavior; anti-social behavior; lying or misrepresenting
oneself to clients, faculty or supervisors; failure to refer, or practicing outside of one's area(s) of
competence without appropriate supervision; chronic lateness and/or absence from academic and
clinical responsibilities; and dysfunctional emotional reactions that interfere with or jeopardize
the well-being of clients, students, faculty, or supervisors.
Dismissal Procedures
Unless otherwise provided for in School or University codes, instances of dismissal for academic
reasons, such as the failure to maintain minimum academic standards or failure to comply with
the timetables and requirements established for the degree, are not appealable beyond the School.
To protect student due process rights, as well as the rights and responsibilities of faculty to uphold
the academic and professional standards of the training program, the following steps will be taken
as part of the dismissal review process. Nothing in these steps is intended to conflict with the
School of Education Grievance Procedures and Grade Appeal Procedures which have been
adopted by the department and the program, nor with any other procedural guarantees accorded
the student (see University Senate Code, Article XVI, Sec. 2). In this regard, and in accordance
with the School of Education Grievance Procedures and Grade Appeal Procedures, when a
grievance occurs, the grievant (student) should first attempt to resolve the issue with the primary
parties involved. If the issue is not resolved, then the parties should attempt resolution with the
appropriate supervisor or administrator. If the issue is still unresolved, the next step in the process
is to consult the Dean of the School of Education. The final step in this process is to file a formal
grievance in writing with the School of Education Grievance Committee.
[NOTE: If the student conduct in question involves racial, ethnic, or sexual harassment, the Office
of Affirmative Action is the appropriate office to contact.]
1.
The student will be informed in writing by the Department Chair of any charge, event,
performance, or circumstance that may threaten the student's immediate status and advancement
within the program. Such charges or complaints may emanate from members of the program
faculty, faculty in other departments, clinical supervisors, clients, or professionals and agents
outside of the university community.
2.
As part of the above notification, the Department Chair may initially advise the student to
seek an informal resolution of the charge or complaint with the accusing party, and to inform the
chair of the outcome of this action within 30 days.
3.
If, however, the informal methods at problem resolution are inappropriate or
unsatisfactory, the Department Chair will inform the student, in writing, that a formal hearing of
the program faculty will be necessary to review the nature of the student's status and to determine
57
whether disciplinary action is appropriate. The Department Chair may invite any persons judged
to have relevant information to submit such information either in person at the hearing or in
writing prior to the hearing. The student will be given copies of all written materials under
consideration in advance of the hearing. The student may invite other individuals who have
relevant testimony to attend the hearing or to present written information. The student will
provide the Department Chair with a list of these individuals at least five (5) days in advance of
the scheduled hearing.
4.
Following the presentation of testimony and evidence, the program faculty will convene
separately to deliberate and to arrive at a decision regarding the student's standing in the program.
This decision may result in one of the following outcomes: (a) dismissal of the charges or threats
against the student and a restoration of the student's good standing in the program, or (b) a
judgment to allow the student to continue in the program pending satisfactory completion of, or
compliance with, specified conditions, or (c) immediate dismissal of the student from the
program. The student will be provided with a prompt, written notice of the faculty's decision.
5.
Students may appeal the program faculty decision to the School of Education Grievance
Committee in accordance with the School's Grievance Procedures and Grade Appeals Procedures,
which are available on the School of Education website.
Confidentiality of Actions Taken in Response to Complaints and Grievances
When a student raises a complaint, it is important to realize that discussions, decisions, and
actions taken in response tot he complaint are confidential, and that in most situations, even the
person raising the issue is not likely to hear about how it gets resolved, due to issues of
confidentiality that are built into the dispute resolution system.
PROGRAM DUE PROCESS POLICY AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
The Counseling Psychology program at the University of Kansas strives to ensure that students,
staff, and faculty are treated fairly and respectfully. The program adheres to its Student
Evaluation and Retention Policy, the SOE policies concerning academic misconduct
(http://www.soe.ku.edu/policies), and the non-discriminatory policy of the University that does
not permit discrimination based on age, gender, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion,
spirituality, sexual orientation, disability, language, or socioeconomic status
(https://documents.ku.edu/policies/IOA/Nondiscrimination.htm/). Further, the program adheres to
the University's policy concerning sexual harassment and sexual violence
(https://documents.ku.edu/policies/IOA/Sexual_Harassment.htm).
Student Grievance Procedures
If a student has concerns about his/her rights, he/she is encouraged to follow these
procedures:
1)
You may choose to confer with your advisor and/or the Training Director. Your advisor or
the Training Director may present your concern to the Counseling Psychology faculty. If
you are not satisfied after faculty review, you may choose to present your concerns to
58
2)
3)
the Chair of the PRE department, and beyond that, you may follow the procedures
outlined in #2 below.
You may choose to follow the School of Education Policies and Procedures concerning
Student Academic Misconduct and the Grievance Procedures and Grade Appeals
(outlined below and available at http://www.soe.ku.edu/policies).
You may also bring your concerns to CPSO and ask the student representatives to bring
issues of concern to a faculty meeting.
Faculty and Staff Grievance Procedures:
If a faculty or staff member has concerns about his/her rights, he/she should follow the
Due Process and Dispute Resolution Policy in the Handbook for Faculty and Other Unclassified
Staff (at https://documents.ku.edu/policies/provost/FacultyandUnclassifiedStaffHandbook.pdf)
and the KU Grievance Procedure (at
https://documents.ku.edu/policies/Graduate_Studies/GrievanceGraduateStudent.htm).
SCHOOL OF EDUCATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES CONCERNING STUDENT
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT AND GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES & GRADE APPEALS
Pursuant to Article XIV of the University Senate Code and Articles V and VI of the University
Senate Rules and Regulations (USRR) of the University of Kansas, the School of Education
establishes the following procedure to hear grievances arising within the School. Subordinate
units that report to the Dean may establish unit grievance procedures. If a subordinate unit has a
grievance procedure, grievances arising within the subordinate unit must be heard under the
subordinate unit's grievance procedure unless exceptional circumstances, as determined by the
Dean, make it more appropriate for those grievances to be heard at the School level. Appeal of a
grievance heard at a subordinate unit level is to the Judicial Board as required by USRR 6.4.3.2.
For disputes involving alleged academic misconduct or alleged violations of student rights, the
initial hearing normally will be at the subordinate unit level, and will be governed by Section 6 of
the University Rules and Regulations on Academic Misconduct. There is an option to hold an
initial hearing at the Judicial Board level if either party petitions the Judicial Board Chair for a
Judicial Board hearing and if the petition is granted. The petition must state why a fair hearing
cannot be obtained at the School or subunit level; the opposing party has an opportunity to
respond to the petition (USRR 6.4.3.1).
Except as provided in USRR 6.5.4, no person shall be disciplined for using the grievance
procedure or assisting another in using the grievance procedure.
The Dean's Office shall provide a copy of this procedure to anyone who requests it.
1. To start the grievance process, the complainant must submit a written grievance either to the
chair or director of a subunit having a grievance procedure or to the Office of the Dean of the
School of Education. The complaint shall contain a statement of the facts underlying the
complaint and specify the provision(s) of the Faculty Code of Conduct, University Senate Code,
the University Senate Rules and Regulations, the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, or
59
other applicable rule, policy, regulation, or law allegedly violated. The complaint shall also
indicate the witnesses or other evidence relied on by the complaining party, and copies of any
documents relevant to the complaint shall be attached to the complaint.
2. At the time the complaint is submitted, the complaining party shall provide a copy of the
complaint, with accompanying documents, to the respondent(s).
3. Upon receipt of the complaint, the subunit head or Office of the Dean of the School of
Education shall contact the respondent to verify that the respondent has received a copy of the
complaint and to provide the respondent with a copy of these procedures.
4. Pursuant to University Senate Code XIV.2.c, a respondent has the privilege of remaining silent
and refusing to give evidence in response to a complaint. The respondent also has the right to
respond and give evidence in response to the complaint.
5. The respondent shall submit a written response to the subunit head or Office of the Dean of the
School of Education within 14 calendar days of receiving the complaint. The response shall
contain the respondent's statement of the facts underlying the dispute as well as any other defenses
to the allegations in the complaint. The response shall also identify the witnesses or other evidence
relied on by the respondent and shall include copies of any documents relevant to the response.
The respondent shall provide a complete copy of the response to the complaining party.
6. Upon receipt of the response, the subunit head or Office of the Dean of the School of Education
shall contact the complaining party to verify that a copy of the response has been provided.
7. Upon receiving the complaint and response, or if the respondent fails to respond within the 14
calendar day time period, the Office of the Dean of the School of Education shall either form a
committee to consider the complaint or refer it to an appropriate extant committee. The
committee members shall be disinterested parties who have not had previous involvement in the
specific situation forming the basis of the complaint.
8. Pursuant to USRR 6.8.4.2, the chair of the committee may contact other hearing bodies within
the University to determine whether a grievance or complaint involving the underlying occurrence
or events is currently pending before or has been decided by any other hearing body.
9. Time limits. To use this procedure, the complainant must file the written complaint within six
months from the action or event that forms the basis of the complaint. The six-month time period
shall be calculated using calendar days (including weekends and calendar days during which
classes are not in session).
10. Upon receiving the complaint, if the chair of the committee determines that any of the
following grounds exist, he or she may recommend to the subunit head or Dean that the complaint
be dismissed without further proceedings. The grounds for such dismissal are: (a) the grievance
or another grievance involving substantially the same underlying occurrence or events has already
been, or is being, adjudicated by proper University procedures; (b) the grievance has not been
60
filed in a timely fashion; (c) the subunit or school lack jurisdiction over the subject matter or any
of the parties; (d) the grievance fails to allege a violation of a University rule; (e) the party filing
the grievance lacks standing because he or she has not suffered a distinct injury as a result of the
challenged conduct and has not been empowered to bring the complaint on behalf of the
University; or (f) the party filing the grievance has been denied the right to file grievances.
11. If the chair of the committee determines that a grievance on its face properly should be heard
by another body, the chair will recommend that the subunit head or Dean send the grievance to
the appropriate hearing body without further proceedings at the subunit or school level. The
subunit head or Dean will send a copy of the referral to the Complainant (s) and any responding
parties.
12. Prior to scheduling a hearing, the parties shall participate in mediation of the dispute unless
either party waives mediation. Mediation shall be governed by USRR 6.2.3.
13. If mediation is successful, the mediator will forward to the subunit head, Dean and the
Grievance Committee chair, and all parties a letter describing the outcome of the mediation and
terms upon which the parties have agreed to resolve the dispute. This letter shall be a
recommendation to the subunit chair or Associate Dean. This party will notify the mediator, the
committee chair, and the parties that the recommendation has been accepted, modified, or
rejected.
14. If mediation is not successful, the mediator will notify the subunit head, Dean, the committee
chair, and the parties that mediation has terminated. If mediation is not successful, or if it is
waived by either party, the Grievance Committee will schedule a hearing no later than 30 calendar
days from the written submission of the complaint. The 30-day period may be extended for good
cause as determined by the chair of the committee. The 30-day period shall be suspended during
the mediation process. The hearing will be closed unless all parties agree that it shall be public.
15. Each party may represent himself or herself or be represented by an advisor or counsel of his
or her choice.
16. Each party has the right to introduce all relevant testimony and documents if the documents
have been provided with the complaint or response.
17. Each party shall be entitled to question the other party's witnesses. The committee may
question all witnesses.
18. Witnesses other than parties shall leave the hearing room when they are not testifying.
19. The chair of the committee shall have the right to place reasonable time limits on each party's
presentation.
20. The chair of the committee shall have the authority and responsibility to keep order, rule on
questions of evidence and relevance, and shall possess other reasonable powers necessary for a
fair and orderly hearing.
61
21. The hearing shall not be governed by the rules of evidence, but the chair of the committee
may exclude information he or she deems irrelevant, unnecessary, or duplicative. Statements or
admissions made as part of the mediation process are not admissible.
22. The committee will make an audiotape of the hearing, but not of the deliberations of the
committee. The audiotape will be available to the parties, their authorized representatives, the
committee and the subunit head or Dean. If a party desires a copy of the audiotape or transcript
of the tape, that party will pay for the cost of such copy of transcript. In the event of an appeal,
the audiotape will be provided to the appellate body as part of the record of the case.
23. After the presentation of evidence and arguments, the committee will excuse the parties and
deliberate. The committee's decision will be a written recommendation to the subunit head or
Dean. The committee shall base its recommendations solely upon the information presented at
the hearing.
24. The committee will send its written recommendation to the subunit head or Dean and the
parties as soon possible and no later than 14 calendar days after the end of the hearing.
25. Within 14 calendar days of receiving the committee recommendation, the subunit head or
Dean will notify the parties of the acceptance, modification, or rejection of the recommendation.
The subunit head or Dean will advise the parties of the procedure available to appeal the decision.
OTHER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION POLICIES
The following are policies for the School of Education Graduate Division.
Conditions on the granting of program time extensions
Background: Extensions are to be given for students who have been making good
progress on their degree but who, for compelling reasons and with the support of their
dissertation committee, need the additional time to complete their dissertation. In acting
on petitions for extension, there should be a demonstration of progress on the dissertation
(at least having a proposal), and that the dissertation committee believes there is a
reasonable chance of the student finishing the dissertation with the time extension. Some
flexibility in this policy is permitted for extraordinary circumstances.
A doctoral student must have her/his dissertation proposal approved and filed in
order to be eligible for a time extension.
Separation of comprehensive exam and dissertation proposal meeting
Background: The Graduate Division has received inquiries and concerns regarding the
combining of the oral portion of the comprehensive exam and the approval meeting for the
dissertation proposal (sometimes referred to as “the proposal defense”).
62
It has been suggested that combining the oral exam and the proposal meeting makes
scheduling easier, as students often find it hard to schedule 5 faculty for the oral exam, let
alone a second time for a proposal meeting (although dissertation proposal meetings need
not involve more than 3 faculty). The GSC recognizes there are times when scheduling
does create special challenges. However, there is concern that when the comprehensive
exam and the proposal meeting are scheduled together, there has been a tendency to treat
the comprehensive more as a formality rather than a substantive and comprehensive exam
in its own right, and that faculty report having found it difficult to tell to a student that
s/he cannot proceed with the dissertation proposal part of the exam since the student has
already been given permission by the advisor—prior to passing the oral—to write a
dissertation proposal. This has been reported as especially awkward in cases where the
oral portion merits a failing mark, and where the student’s exam performance is
“excused”-- allowing the student’s presentation of the dissertation proposal to carry the
weight of the evaluation.
At least one week shall transpire between a student’s oral comprehensive exam and
dissertation proposal meeting.
Examining Committee Composition
The committee for the doctoral oral examination must consist of at least five members, all
members of the Graduate Faculty, and must include one regular graduate faculty member
from outside of the student’s department to represent the Graduate School.
1. Unless petitioned by the student with compelling justification, and approved by the
student’s advisor and department, and the Graduate Office, the oral committee shall
consist of a majority of faculty from the student’s department.
2. No more than one committee member on the exam may hold an ad hoc or courtesy
graduate appointment.
With regard to (1): Non-tenure-track faculty (e.g., lecturers) within academic departments
serve critical instructional roles with SoE program and often hold graduate faculty status.
That being said, the Office of Graduate Studies recommends that the majority of
“departmental faculty” on oral examinations be regular, tenure-line faculty; the GSC supports
this recommendation.
LINKS TO OTHER SCHOOL OF EDUCATION POLICIES
The website http://soe.ku.edu/documents/ contains several School of Education policies and
forms, including those addressing Academic Misconduct, Graduate Enrollment, Graduate Degree
Milestones & Petitions, GTA/GRA/GA Issues, Graduate Faculty Status, Graduate Programs, and
Misconduct & Grievances.
63
KU POLICIES GOVERNING THE BEHAVIOR OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY AT
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
KU Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities
KU Grievance Policy and Procedures for Graduate Students
KU Statement on Discrimination, Intimidation, and Sexual Harassment
KU Notice of Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Affirmative Action Policies
KU Sexual Harassment Policy
KU Policy on Discrimination on the Basis of Race or Ethnicity
KU Policy on Discrimination on the Basis of Religion or National Origin
School of Education Academic Misconduct Policy and Procedure Summary
School of Education Student Academic Misconduct Policy
School of Education Grievance Procedures and Grade Appeals
School of Education Grade Appeal
CPSY Policies and Procedures Manual
KU Policy Library
University Governance website
64
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT APPLY ONLY TO
THE CPSY PH.D. PROGRAM
ANNUAL REVIEW OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS
Refer to Comprehensive Annual Evaluation of Doctoral Students detailed earlier in this
document.
COMPLETION OF A MASTER’S THESIS FROM THE
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS OR ANOTHER UNIVERSITY
When students who have begun a master's degree are admitted to our doctoral program, we
encourage them to complete their master's degree (whether from KU or from another institution)
but we do not require completion. Doctoral students should discuss with the advisor the decision whether to receive the MS along
the way, and if so, whether to take the CPCE, complete a Master’s thesis, or complete a Master's
project.
Verification of practicum hours taken elsewhere
Once a student has been made an offer for our Ph.D. program, we will need verification of
successful completion of any practicum experience required for their master's program in order to
add those hours to the practicum hours compiled through their doctoral program.
Practicum placement for those entering with a masters degree
We will ATTEMPT to place first year PhD students coming in with a masters degree and prior
clinical training into a practicum (upon their request); however, due to practicum circumstances
outside of our control, this may not always be possible.
Counting hours after doctoral admission
Any coursework taken at KU after a student has been admitted to our doctoral program can be
counted as part of the doctoral program. For example, if a student is notified in March that they
are admitted for the next class, courses they take that summer and beyond (even if they are still
working toward the MS degree at KU) may be counted toward the doctoral degree. Keep in mind,
however, that no course can be counted toward more than one degree. On the other hand,
practicum client contact hours accumulated in a practicum (even if taken as part of the MS
degree) can be counted as "doctoral hours" at that point, and can also be counted if applying for
licensure as an LPC. So Credit hours are treated differently than client contact hours.
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PRACTICUM CLIENT CONTACT HOURS & SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS
Although the APA does not stipulate a specific number of clinical hours that doctoral students
must complete prior to internship, in order to be a competitive intern applicant, students are
expected to accrue a minimum of 400 hours of formal practicum, of which at least 150 should be
in direct client contact and 75 should be in supervision. (The remaining hours may involve other
professional activities such as writing case notes, processing tapes, preparing for sessions, and
attending case conferences and practicum seminar meetings.) The program has established this
400-hour figure as its minimum for the certification of student readiness for internship. Additional
hours of clinical work (counseling, assessment, case conferencing, etc.) may be accrued through
enrollment in field experiences. Students are encouraged to consult on-line APPIC (internship)
program information for details on the clinical experience expectations of specific sites in which
they may have interest.
To achieve the minimum of 150 hours of direct client contact over the course of four semesters of
practicum, students need to accrue approximately 40 hours of client contact per semester. To
reach the minimum of 75 hours of supervision, students need to accrue approximately 20 hours of
supervision per semester. These semester hour expectations are for reaching the minimum hour
requirements to be certified as ready for internship. Most students have significantly more hours
of client contact and supervision prior to applying for internship, both from KU and nationally.
For example, over the past few years, our students have been reporting an average of 550 hours of
direct therapy and assessment (median is 561), 327 hours of supervision (median is 313), and 458
hours of supporting activities (median is 431). See Table below.
Direct client contact refers to individual, conjoint, and group counseling, as well as assessment. It
includes intake interviews and also sessions conducted with another counselor, if the student
actively participates (otherwise, it is considered observation). In counting hours, sessions less than
40 minutes equal 1/2 hours; sessions between 40 and 70 minutes equal 1 hour; sessions greater
than 70 minutes equal 1 1/2 hours; and so on.
Supervision consists of scheduled, weekly time with an assigned supervisor who is a
psychologist, counselor, social worker, or other licensed mental health professional, or in some
cases, an advanced doctoral student directly supervised by a Ph.D. level counselor, psychologist,
or other licensed mental health professional. The supervisor is the professional staff member at
the site who holds responsibility for the cases being seen by the practicum student.
AAPI HOURS REPORTED BY KU CPSY APPLICANTS 2008-2011
Therapy &
Assessment
321-909
538
515
Supervision
76-404
205
220
Support
130-454
350
340
Range
Mean
Median
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AAPI HOURS REPORTED BY KU CPSY APPLICANTS 2012
Intervention
471-1168
688
620
Assessment
35-150
87
88
Supervision
330-635
Range
441
Mean
428
Median
POLICY REGARDING THE GROUP EXPERIENCE IN THE CPSY DOCTORAL
PROGRAM
1) Doctoral students are encouraged, but not required, to participate in the leading or co-leading
of a group experience during the course of their doctoral practicum sequence (PRE 948a/b, PRE
949a/b)
2) Co-leading a group with a more experienced therapist is the preferred mechanism for
acquiring the group leadership experience.
3) The nature of available group experiences will vary across sites/settings and client
populations, and suitable group experiences may not be available at all sites.
4) Group formats may include process/experiential groups, structured groups focusing on a
particular theme or issue (e.g., career exploration, marriage enrichment, substance abuse, anger
management, parenting, medical compliance, thesis/dissertation support) or reflect a particular
therapeutic orientation (e.g., behavioral, client-centered, cognitive, solution-focused).
5) As with the student’s on-site individual counseling/therapy work, supervision of the group
experience is the primary responsibility of the on-site supervisor—with campus-based
consultation provided by the student’s practicum instructor.
6) As with the student’s individual counseling/therapy (practicum and supervised field
experiences), routine taping of group sessions is encouraged. The nature of groups is such,
however, that it is understood that recording of sessions may not be possible or practicable.
7) Students wishing to obtain supervised experience leading a group but who are unable to
acquire supervised experience in leading a group during practicum, may wish to discuss enrolling
in a supervised field experience with the program’s Practicum Coordinator.
8) Students are required to have successfully completed PRE 842 Counseling Practicum and
PRE 844 Theory of Group Counseling prior to participating as a group leader/co-leader, either in
a practicum or field experience.
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SUPERVISION OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
The Counseling Psychology doctoral training program at KU requires that every doctoral student
participate in supervision of masters level practicum students. Doctoral students are required to
enroll in one hour of PRE 996 for 2 consecutive semesters to accomplish this requirement. The
experience will be under the direction of a faculty member who is responsible for teaching a
section of PRE 842 (Counseling Practicum) during the same semester.
Prior or concurrent enrollment in PRE 945: Clinical Supervision and Consultation, is a
prerequisite for the supervision experience.
The Supervision of Psychotherapy experience includes the following requirements:
(a) Meet individually each week with at least 2 different students enrolled in PRE 842.
(b) Attend an early PRE 842 class to introduce yourself.
(c) Meet weekly with the faculty instructor to go over the consultation process you are
engaging in with your consultees. Some faculty instructors may require taping of
consultation sessions.
(d) Read any assigned readings.
LICENSURE OF DOCTORAL STUDENTS AT THE MASTERS LEVEL
Because of prior training and experience, doctoral students who meet the requirements for
licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor or as a Licensed Master's Level Psychotherapist
are encouraged to apply for the appropriate license. In addition, students who have been awarded
the master's degree and taken other specified coursework may be eligible to apply for licensure in
Kansas as a Temporary Licensed Professional Counselor or as a Temporary Licensed Master's
Level Psychotherapist. However, as of this writing, the BSRB is suggesting that students NOT
apply for a temporary LPC license, as it could become a problem for them after graduation, since
temporary licenses are not renewable, and it may take longer to complete all of the postgraduation requirements necessary to be eligible for full licensure. The Kansas Behavioral
Sciences Regulatory Board (KSBSRB) oversees all such licenses in Kansas, and they have a very
good website (http://www.ksbsrb.org).
THE ELECTIVE BLOCK
The doctoral program has an elective block requirement that includes three regularly scheduled
courses taken at KU. These are to be regularly scheduled courses (and may include 896 and 998
seminars), thus the requirement cannot be fulfilled using field experiences, college teaching
experiences, independent study, etc. A research elective is NOT required--but is encouraged (and
may be expected by advisors), keeping in mind that students are expected to have the research
competencies necessary to successfully complete the dissertation
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DOCTORAL RESEARCH PRACTICUM
The Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program adheres to the scientist-practitioner model of
professional training, emphasizing both research and applied counseling skills. With regard to
research skill development, students are required to complete three (3) credit hours of PRE 901:
Research Practicum. One goal of PRE 901 is to aid in the development of student research projects
that may result in professional presentations, journal publications, and the doctoral dissertation.
Research Practicum enrollment must occur over at least two consecutive semesters and must be
completed within the student’s first two years in the program (three years for students entering the
program with a bachelor’s degree).
In addition to enrolling in three hours of PRE 901, the student must complete a research “product”.
During the research practicum, the student works with a faculty member (possibly with other
students) in a research project that involves the collection and analysis of data and leads to a
product. The data collection and analysis may be quantitative or qualitative in nature. Literature
reviews, position or conceptual papers, or other non-quantitative or non-qualitative projects are not
acceptable for fulfilling the research requirement.
Satisfactory completion of the product can be demonstrated through one of several means:
1.
2.
3.
Receipt of a review of the product from a professional journal’s editor.
Presentation of the product at a national, regional, or local convention or conference.
Presentation of the product at a departmental colloquium.
It is the student's responsibility to seek out faculty members with whom the student shares research
interests and with whom they would like to work. The supervising faculty member determines what
level of participation on a particular product will warrant credit for satisfying this requirement, and
this will be clarified as early in the research process as possible. Research activity expectations with
regard to author listing (first, second, etc.) should be made explicit at that time as well. A student
need not be first author of a product in order to have it satisfy this requirement, though that will
often be the case.
In order to ensure that students enrolled in PRE 901 are appropriately engaged in the research
process, the supervising faculty member will provide ongoing (at least once each semester)
evaluative feedback to students with whom they work.
Noncompliance with research activity expectations will result in a grade of Incomplete until such
time as the research activity expectations have been duly met.
NOTE: The research practicum is a formal part of the doctoral research core requirement and
therefore must be completed (as evidenced by the grading of all three hours of the practicum
experience, and thus the completion of the research product) prior to taking comprehensive exams.
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DOCTORAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
1.
Doctoral comprehensive examinations (“comps”) are administered by the Comprehensive
Examination Committee (CEC), composed of two or three program faculty members. The
CEC is responsible for writing the common sections of the test, approving an examinee's
choice of a Specialty Area, collecting any Specialty Area questions from examinees'
advisors, and submitting all to the faculty for final approval. It is expected that the
committee will rely heavily on the expertise of the entire faculty in drawing up the exam,
although not all faculty members will submit questions each semester.
2.
The content of the examination is drawn from the entire body of psychological knowledge
for which students are responsible in the program. That is, questions are written over the
domains covered in coursework offered in the Department of Psychology & Research in
Education and the Department of Psychology.
3.
The examination consists of four sections: (1) Theory, (2) Research, (3) Professional
Applications, and (4) a Specialty Area unique to the examinee. Each of the first three
sections consists of three essay questions, while the Specialty Area has two options as
described below. For each administration at which they write, the examinee must write all
sections of the exam that they have not yet passed, e.g., they may not choose to take only the
first two sections during their first attempt.
4.
The written Doctoral Comprehensive Examination is offered twice each academic year, on
Thursday and Friday of the first week of classes in the fall, and on Thursday and Friday in
the first week of February.
5.
Students wishing to take any portion of the exam must register using the CPSY Doctoral
Comprehensive Examination Registration Form (available online) at least four weeks prior
to the date set for the exam. On this form, students notify the Training Director of their
intent to take the exam, and what their Specialty Area is proposed to be. At the same time,
the student's Advisor should file the proper Progress-To-Degree form listing the student's
five-person Oral Exam committee, as detailed below.
6.
To be eligible to begin comprehensive exams, you must have completed the majority of the
required program coursework and meet all other school and university eligibility
requirements. There may be no more than two courses (6 credit hours) of uncompleted
coursework in regularly scheduled courses required in the graduate program or plan of study
at the time of the exam, and no grades of Incomplete or WG may be pending. The required
college teaching/practicum supervision (PRE 996) experience must be completed prior to or
during the semester in which comps are taken. When sitting for the exam, students are
responsible for required coursework, even if they have not yet taken all required courses.
Check with your advisor to ensure your eligibility to sit for the exam and be sure that your
advisor has the PRE office submit the appropriate Progress-to-Degree form (PtD) at least
one month prior to the exam. The SOE Graduate Office must certify that you are eligible to
sit for the exam.
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7.
For the Specialty Area, students have two options, either of which requires the approval by
the CEC of a Specialty Area. In general, approved areas will come from the areas
represented by one of the Sections or Special Interest Groups within Division 17 as listed
below (and updated on the APA Division 17 website). It is possible that a student might
receive approval for an area, clearly within the domain of Counseling Psychology,
represented by one of the other Division titles within APA. One month prior to the exam,
the student will declare their proposed Specialty Area to the Director of Training on the
CPSY Doctoral Comprehensive Examination Registration Form.
Option 1: THREE SPECIALTY AREA QUESTIONS OVER THEORY, RESEARCH, AND
PROFESSIONAL APPLICATIONS. The questions for the student’s Specialty Area are to
be prepared by the advisor after he or she has read the registration form and spoken with the
student to determine the scope of the student’s area. Although the advisor is ultimately
responsible for submitting the three specialty questions to the CEC, he or she should feel
free to consult with faculty members from other areas within and outside the department in
pulling together the questions. It should be noted, however, that all answers will be read
solely by the faculty in the Counseling Psychology program. Questions from the Specialty
Area are generally distributed across the three areas of theory, research, and professional
applications.
Option 2: REVIEW AND METHODS PAPER. The student will write an article-length review of
the literature and method sections of a proposed study in the Specialty Area. The review
should be 5-7 pages, and the method should be 5-7 pages, yielding a document that is 10-14
pages long (before references are added), double spaced, 1 inch margins around, 12-pt
Times New Roman font. The format should follow APA style for an empirical study that
might appear in the Journal of Counseling Psychology. This is to be turned in the morning
of the first day of written comps, and will replace the last afternoon of written comps. The
Specialty Area, while meant to be broad, must be approved by the student's advisor and the
CEC as meeting that definition. There is no stipulation that the paper be written at any
specific time, only that it is to be turned in on the first morning of comps. While it is
understood that the student may consult with faculty and other experts regarding what best
constitutes the area for review or the best methods for studying a specific research question,
there is a clear expectation that the paper will be written independently.
8.
List of Current Division 17 Sections and SIGs
Adoption Research and Practice
Advancement of Women
Counseling Health Psychology
Couples and Families
Ethnic & Racial Diversity
Group Counseling
Human and Animal Interaction
Hypnosis
Impaired Psychologists
Independent Practice
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International
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Issues
Men, Masculinity, and Men's Studies
Military Issues in Counseling Psychology
Older Adults
Organizational Counseling Psychology
Positive Psychology
Prevention
Promotion of Psychotherapy Science
Religious and Spiritual Issues in Counseling Psychology
Rural Practice and Scholarship
Supervision & Training
University & College Counseling Centers
Vocational Psychology
9.
Administration of the exam: The questions in each of the sections are offered as a group,
with the Research section being offered on the morning of the first day of the examination,
the Professional Applications section being offered on the afternoon of the first day of the
examination, the Theory section offered on the morning of the second day of the
examination, and the Specialty Area offered on the afternoon of the second day of the
examination (for those choosing Option 1 above). This order can be altered if all examinees
agree. For each section, examinees are offered only three questions, each of which must be
answered.
EVALUATION OF THE EXAM
10.
Students' answers will be distributed proportionally among the Counseling Psychology
faculty for evaluation. While it is recognized that not all faculty will be “experts” in each
area covered by the questions, it is also recognized that this is not a specialty examination.
Examinees are expected to perform at the level of the generalist, not the specialist, in each
area. At the same time, faculty members have the opportunity and responsibility to serve as
readers for questions for which the content is familiar to them.
11.
A “Pass” on the examination requires a Pass on all four sections (Theory, Research.
Professional Applications, and Specialty Area).
12.
Failure of any section(s) will necessitate the retaking of the failed section(s).
13.
A Pass on any section consists of passing two of the three questions from the section.
14.
A Pass on any question consists of a Pass from at least two of the three readers for that
question. (See Appendix for comprehensive examination evaluation standards.)
15.
A Pass on Option 2 of the Specialty Area consists of an overall rating of Pass from two of
the three readers of the paper.
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16.
For each of the first three areas, there should be one question which has some consistency
from one administration to the next as outlined below.
Research
There should always be a question calling for the examinee to outline the design for a
research study. As with the Theory question, the specifics of the question may vary, but the
constant is that examinees are called on to design a study.
Professional Applications
There should always be a question calling for examinees to conceptualize a case that is
presented to them. The case changes with each administration, but the constant is that
examinees are called on to do a case conceptualization.
Theory
There should always be one question calling for the examinee to describe, examine, critique,
or justify some aspect(s) of his or her own theory of counseling. The question may also ask
the examinee to compare their theory to another theory, or to apply their theory, etc. The
constant part is the requirement that the examinees discuss some aspect(s) of their own
theory.
17.
The Oral Examination allows for the examinee to be questioned over the entire body of
psychological knowledge for which students are responsible in this program. As a
springboard into that discussion, each of the examinees is given (at or before the time they
receive a “Pass” over the full written examination) three questions, one of which will be
used to begin the oral examination. All examinees for a given administration period receive
the same three questions. The student's prepared response to the question should not be
lengthy, as the committee's role is to question the student, not listen to a presentation. After
this first question has been addressed by the student, exam committee members are free to
use or ignore the remainder of the prepared questions. The questions, both those submitted
and those that follow during the oral examination, should be constrained only by the
boundaries of the program itself.
18.
Doctoral Oral Comprehensive Examination Committee: A student's oral exam committee
consists of 5 persons. The composition of the committee must conform to the following:
(a) three Regular graduate faculty members from PRE,
(b) one Regular graduate faculty member from any KU department outside PRE
(representing Graduate Studies), and
(c) no more than one "non-regular" (i.e. Special or Ad Hoc) graduate faculty member.
Among these, there must be 3 faculty members from the CPSY program.
Note:
Regular graduate faculty are tenured or tenure-track faculty at KU.
Special graduate faculty are not tenure-track, but teach at KU (Bartell, Hensley, Mikinski)
Ad Hoc graduate faculty are non-KU persons with a doctorate appointed for a specific
committee.
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Graduate Faculty status can be confirmed online by your advisor at the Graduate Faculty
Database. The Progress-To-Degree form for the comprehensive exam should be submitted
at least two weeks prior to the written portion, in part to ensure the correct makeup of the
committee, and in part to ensure the student's eligibility to sit for the examination.
19.
After successful passage of the written examination, an attempt on the oral examination
must be made during the same semester (as specified by the School of Education). Failure to
make such an attempt during that semester is considered a failed oral examination attempt,
and any such failure by forfeiture necessitates an attempt during the next regularly
scheduled comprehensive examination period.
20.
A student who fails all or part of the written examination must continue in further attempts
bound by the procedures in effect at the time they first took any part of the examination.
21.
Students are not permitted to keep their written exams after the exam and evaluation forms
have been reviewed by the student. Written exams are retained by the department for one
year and then destroyed.
22.
Dissertation credits may be accrued during the semester of the comprehensive exam. If the
exam is not passed, the dissertation hours do not count toward the required minimum of 18
hours of PRE 999.
23.
The KU Graduate School requires that doctoral students need to be continuously enrolled
after they have passed their comprehensive oral examination. Until a total of 18 hours of
dissertation have been accrued, the minimum number of hours of enrollment is six (6) per
semester and three (3) per summer session (Note: These 6 and 3 hour enrollments need not
be dissertation hours.) Throughout the period of mandatory post-comprehensive dissertation
enrollment, enrollments should reflect the level of effort engaged in by the student—but
minimally 6/3 as noted above, until the student has accrued the minimum of 18 hours of
dissertation enrollments (24 is the norm). Any dissertation enrollments taken beyond 18
should simply reflect the level of effort engaged in by the student. When the student is on
internship and still working on the dissertation, the six hour enrollment should be made up
of one hour of PRE 990 (Internship) and five additional hours—usually of PRE 999
(Dissertation). Of course, once the dissertation has been successfully defended and turned
in, no further dissertation enrollment is required, so a student on internship who has
completed the dissertation would typically only enroll for one hour of Internship fall, spring,
and summer
It is important to keep in mind that dissertation credits are not “saved” and do not go “in the
bank” to be drawn upon at some future date. Failure to make use of the dissertation hours in
which you are enrolled during a given semester does not mean that you can enroll for fewer
hours at a later time. Rather, you are expected by the University to enroll at a level of credit
hours commensurate with your demands on university resources and faculty time. If you
accrue 18 hrs. of dissertation credits and do not have your dissertation completed, you will
need to continue to enroll for dissertation credits to reflect your continued work on the
dissertation. Although it is not often the case, there occasionally are instances where a
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student has accrued 18 hrs. of dissertation and has not had her/his dissertation proposal
approved. Although the student may have satisfied the “post-comprehensive enrollment”
requirement, consistent with Graduate School policy, the student still has nearly the full
complement of 18 hrs. of dissertation yet to complete.
It is also important to keep in mind that the largest demands on university resources and
faculty time with respect to a student’s dissertation are generally at the beginning of the
project as it is being designed and proposed, and at its conclusion when the dissertation
chair and committee members are reviewing various drafts of the dissertation chapters in
preparation for the final draft and dissertation defense. Enrollments for dissertation credits
should reflect the demands the student will be making on the faculty. Loading up on
dissertation credits during a time when progress on the dissertation is unlikely is not a wise
strategy and may prove costly in the long run. Students enrolled for only one hour of
dissertation but expecting their faculty advisors to be meeting with them regularly and
spending numerous hours reading ongoing revisions of dissertation are undersubscribed and
may reasonably be expected and required to enroll for more credits (even if they have
already accrued 18 hrs. of dissertation credit).
When To Take Comprehensive Exams Relative to Internship Application
Students are required to complete their comprehensive no later than November 1 of
the fall they intend to apply for internship, and earlier if they are applying to sites with
an application deadline earlier than November 1. Each internship site asks for a
statement of readiness from the program Training Director. In a letter to the internship site,
the Training Director is specifically asked to comment on the status of the student’s
comprehensive exams. Sites generally are unwilling to consider anyone who has not
finished all requirements prior to the February notification date, and in most cases prior to
the internship application deadline, thus our deadline of November 1. In addition, more and
more sites are requiring that a dissertation proposal be completed and accepted before
beginning the internship, and it is the expectation of the program faculty that students
will have a dissertation proposal approved before any internship applications are
submitted.
Suggestions For Review In Preparation For Comprehensive Exams
History of Counseling Psychology
Be able to distinguish Counseling Psychology from other specialty areas
Know key names and events
Future of Counseling Psychology
Counseling Theories and Techniques
Personality
Individual Counseling/Psychotherapy
Group Counseling/Psychotherapy
Career Counseling / Vocational Psychology
Family/Couple Counseling
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Supervision/Consultation
Multi-Cultural Issues
Women's Issues
Outcome Research
Process Research
Assessment
Familiarity with test manual information
Critique an assortment of tests
Test interpretation
Test construction
Psychodiagnostic assessment
Professional Legal/Ethical Concerns
Professional Organizations – APA, APS, ACA, AERA, etc.
Current Professional Trends and Issues
Review professional newspapers, newsletters, journal, etc.
Knowledge of Ethical Standards and Code of Conduct for Psychologists
Knowledge of Kansas licensing requirements for psychologists, and the administrative rules and
regulations governing the practice of psychology
Knowledge of relevant professional practice guidelines and standards of practice
Research
Evaluate a Study
Design a Study
Experimental Design
Statistical Analyses
Physiological Psychology
Psychology of Human Development
Practical Application
Given a case study, students should be able to (a) identify problem areas and goals, (b) present a
plan of action to reach goals, (c) present and discuss their rationale for the choice of theoretical
orientation and techniques used, (d) present a method and rationale for process and outcome
evaluation, etc.
Psychopathology
DSM and other alternative diagnostic systems
Specialty Area
Developed and identified in conjunction with doctoral advisor.
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Scoring Guide for Written Comprehensive Exams
Scoring Guide: Analysis of an Argument or Proposal or Position
SCORE 6-OUTSTANDING
A 6 answer presents a cogent, well-articulated analysis of the complexities of the issue(s)
presented in the question. A typical answer in this category
--develops a position with insightful reasons and/or persuasive examples, using relevant current
literature
--sustains a well-focused, well-organized discussion
--expresses ideas clearly and precisely
SCORE 5-STRONG
A 5 answer presents a well-developed analysis of the complexities of the issue(s) and an
understanding of the area. A typical answer in this category
--develops a position on the issue with good reasons and/or examples from the current literature
--is focused and generally well organized
--expresses ideas clearly and well
SCORE 4-ADEQUATE
A 4 question presents a competent analysis of the issue and demonstrates adequate knowledge of
the subject matter. A typical answer in this category
--develops a position on the issue with relevant reasons and/or examples from the literature
--is adequately organized
--expresses ideas clearly
SCORE 3-LIMITED
A 3 answer demonstrates some competence in its analysis of the issue but is plainly flawed.
Knowledge of the subject matter is limited. A typical answer in this category exhibits one or more
of the following characteristics:
--is vague or limited in developing a position on the issue
--is weak in the use of relevant reasons or examples
--is poorly focused and/or poorly organized
--has problems expressing ideas clearly
--contains occasional errors of fact or finding
SCORE 2-SERIOUSLY FLAWED
A 2 answer demonstrates serious weaknesses in analytical thinking. A typical answer in this
category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
--is unclear or seriously limited in developing a position on the issue
--provides few, if any, relevant reasons or examples
--is unfocused and/or disorganized
--contains numerous and/or serious errors of fact or in use of terminology
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SCORE 1-FUNDAMENTALLY DEFICIENT
A 1 answer demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical thinking and knowledge base,
and provides little evidence of the ability to develop or organize a coherent response to the
question.
SCORE 0
Off-topic, or merely restates the topic or question.
Scoring Guide: Perspectives on an Issue
SCORE 6-OUTSTANDING
Demonstrates a cogent, well-articulated critique of the argument and mastery of the subject
matter.
A typical answer in this category
--clearly identifies important features of the argument and analyzes them insightfully
--develops ideas cogently, organizes them logically, and connects them with clear transitions
--effectively supports the main points of the critique using relevant current literature
--demonstrates solid understanding of the subject matter
SCORE 5-STRONG
Demonstrates a well-developed critique of the argument and a good knowledge of the subject
matter.
A typical answer in this category
--clearly identifies important features of the argument and analyzes them in a generally thoughtful
way
--develops ideas clearly, organizes them logically, and connects them with appropriate transitions
--demonstrates knowledge of the subject matter
SCORE 4-ADEQUATE
Demonstrates a competent critique and demonstrates adequate control of the elements of writing.
A typical answer in this category
--identifies and analyzes important features of the argument
--develops and organizes ideas satisfactorily but may not connect them with transitions
--supports the main points of the critique with relevant literature
--demonstrates sufficient knowledge of the subject matter to convey ideas
SCORE 3-LIMITED
Demonstrates some competence in analysis of the issue and in elements of writing but is plainly
flawed.
A typical answer in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
--does not identify or analyze most of the important features of the argument
--mainly analyzes tangential or irrelevant matters, or reasons poorly
--offers support of little relevance and value for points of the critique
--contains occasional errors of fact or reasoning
SCORE 2-SERIOUSLY FLAWED
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Demonstrates serious weaknesses in analytical writing skills.
A typical answer in this category exhibits one or more of the following characteristics:
--does not present a critique based on logical analysis, but instead presents the writer's views on
the subject
--provides little, if any, relevant or reasonable support
--contains numerous and/or serious errors of fact or reasoning
SCORE 1-FUNDAMENTALLY DEFICIENT
Demonstrates fundamental deficiencies in analytical writing skills.
A typical answer in this category exhibits more than one of the following characteristics:
--provides little evidence of the ability to understand and analyze the argument
--provides little evidence of the ability to develop an organized response
--has severe and pervasive errors of fact or reasoning
SCORE 0 - off-topic or merely restates the topic
DOCTORAL DISSERTATION
Students are strongly encouraged to begin thinking about dissertation ideas, selection of the
committee, and drafting their proposal prior to the taking of comprehensive exams. While the
formal proposal meeting cannot be held until the student has passed the comprehensive exams,
this procedure should not prohibit work toward the proposal until the exams are completed.
Dissertation Proposal Committee Structure
After completing both oral and written comprehensive exams, the student is ready to choose a
three-person dissertation committee as agreed upon by the student and her/his advisor. In addition
to the advisor (who will have Regular graduate faculty status), at least 1 other member of the
committee must have Regular graduate faculty status (not Ad Hoc graduate faculty status, and not
Special graduate faculty status). The third member can have any graduate faculty status at KU. In
addition to the advisor, at least 1 other member of the proposal committee must be in the PRE
Department.
1. Chair (CPSY faculty member, Regular graduate faculty status)
2. Another PRE Regular graduate faculty member (e.g. REMS methodologist)
3. Other graduate faculty member (may be Regular, Special, or Ad Hoc; in PRE or not)
Note:
Regular graduate faculty are tenured or tenure-track faculty at KU.
Special graduate faculty are not tenure-track, but teach at KU (Bartell, Hensley, Mikinski)
Ad Hoc graduate faculty are non-KU persons with a doctorate appointed for a specific
committee.
Graduate Faculty status can be confirmed online by your advisor at the Graduate Faculty
Database.
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Dissertation Proposal
The proposal should consist of (a) a statement of the research problem/issue to be addressed, (b)
the research questions being asked, (c) a summary of the literature to be used to support and
justify the study and its methodology, (d) any hypotheses to be tested, and (e) the methods and
procedures (including the statistical analyses) that will be used in the proposed study. This should
constitute a not-too-rough draft of the final version to be included in the dissertation. In other
words, it is expected that the literature review will be sufficiently complete (detailed and critical)
to support and justify the research question and the methodology. At the proposal meeting, a
critical examination of the proposed research is conducted. Any changes recommended by the
committee must be incorporated into the proposal.
Once a dissertation proposal has been accepted by the 3-person committee, the advisor should
submit the title page of the proposal, that includes signatures of the three committee members,
along with an electronic copy of the proposal, to the School of Education Associate Dean for
Graduate Studies support staff, currently Kim Huggett at [email protected].
Dissertation Oral Defense Committee
A student's dissertation oral exam committee shall consist of 5 persons. The composition of the
committee must conform to the following:
(a) three Regular graduate faculty members from PRE,
(b) one Regular graduate faculty member from any KU department outside PRE
(representing Graduate Studies), and
(c) no more than one "non-regular" (i.e. Special or Ad Hoc) graduate faculty member.
(d) among these, there must be 3 faculty members from the CPSY program.
Note:
Regular graduate faculty are tenured or tenure-track faculty at KU.
Special graduate faculty are not tenure-track, but teach at KU (Bartell, Hensley, Mikinski)
Ad Hoc graduate faculty are non-KU persons with a doctorate appointed for a specific
committee.
Graduate Faculty status can be confirmed online by your advisor at the Graduate Faculty
Database.
The dissertation defense is open to the public, and students are encouraged to attend their
colleagues’ defenses to gain experience or knowledge of the process. A copy of the final
dissertation should be distributed to all examination committee members at least two weeks prior
to the oral defense. Also occurring at least two weeks prior to the defense, the advisor and PRE
office support staff must file a Progress-to-Degree form, which notifies the School of Education
to send out the appropriate notice of the defense, and allows a final check on the student's
eligibility to defend, and a check on the makeup of the committee.
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In conducting the oral defense, the chairperson of the dissertation committee convenes the
examination by introducing the candidate, summarizing the student’s background, and indicating
the format of the procedures to be followed. In general, the candidate will give a short overview
of the project, findings, etc., after which the candidate is then questioned by members of the
committee in a way that requires a genuine defense of both the dissertation and its research
procedures. All members of the committee will have read and thoroughly familiarized themselves
with the dissertation before the examination, and copies of the document will be available for
reference during the examination.
When ample opportunity has been given for questions, the candidate and any observers should be
dismissed from the room while the committee deliberates and comes to a decision regarding the
adequacy of the candidate’s performance. Some faculty advisors excuse all observers immediately
after the formal presentation and prior to questions from the committee. When a decision is
reached, the candidate is informed and the committee chairperson notifies the Associate Dean for
Graduate Programs & Research in the School of Education of the committee decision via a
Progress-to-Degree form.
Dissertation Format
The writing style and format for organization of the dissertation is described by the APA
Publication manual, and guidelines specific to KU are available from the Office of Graduate
Studies. Of special importance: The dissertation title page and acceptance page require very
specific formatting. Please attend to the guidelines for those pages, available from the Office of
Graduate Studies.
There are two acceptable structures for the dissertation.
a. The traditional 5-chapter dissertation comprised of the following chapters:
1. Introduction
2. Review of the Literature
3. Method
4. Results
5. Discussion
b. The 2-chapter dissertation comprised of the following chapters:
1. A review of the literature that could stand alone as a journal article
2. A journal article-length manuscript of the study
A possible advantage to the 2-chapter structure is that once the student has successfully defended
them (as a combination) at the oral examination, they would have two manuscripts ready for
submission to journals for publication (pending changes required by the committee.
Dissertation Copies
The dissertation must be submitted electronically in PDF format to ProQuest on or before the date
specified by the Office of Graduate Studies. Further information can be found at the Graduate
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Studies link to Electronic Thesis and Dissertations. The wording on the title page and submission
page is critical, so please study it carefully. Occasionally students bring in a title page to their
defense so that it can be signed (when all members are present), only to find they must rewrite the
title page and get each member’s signature at a later date. One bound copy of the dissertation is to
be provided to the student’s dissertation chairperson to be archived by the program.
Survey of Earned Doctorate and Successful Submission via e-mail
Doctoral graduates are asked to complete a new, on-line Survey of Earned Doctorate form. The
survey can be found on the Graduate Studies webpage, under the ETD link. When they complete
and submit the new survey online, they will be taken to a successful submission page. The
student will also receive a successful submission e-mail. The student is instructed to print the
successful submission page or the e-mail message and turn it in to the School of Education office,
along with their signed title and acceptance pages and the ETD release form (also on the ETD
quick link).
Deadline for Submission of Final Copy
Students must enroll during any semester in which they are engaged in work related to the
dissertation. The only exception is that the first two weeks of classes of a term are considered part
of the previous term for this purpose. In other words, if a student defends the dissertation, makes
any necessary changes, and submits the final work to ProQuest (and the final forms to the School
of Education office) during the first two weeks of a term, they are not required to enroll for
dissertation credit that term. If they do not turn in all the materials until week three, they DO need
to enroll in at least one hour of dissertation credit for that term.
Pre-DOCTORAL INTERNSHIP
Students may not apply for internship until the dissertation proposal has been approved.
This is in addition to other internship readiness program requirements, including: satisfactory
completion of PRE 949 (Doctoral Externship), satisfactory completion of comprehensive exams
(written and oral) and any coursework prerequisite to those exams, and the support of the program
faculty.
There are annual updates in the way that internship application information is gathered and
managed. As students approach the internship application stage of their program, they should
subscribe to the APPIC Match-news listserv and familiarize themselves with APPIC policies. To
subscribe to this e-mail list, simply send a blank e-mail to:[email protected].
There are also numerous listservs to join through APAGS. This website describes those:
http://www.apa.org/apags/resources/listservs/index.aspx
The APPIC website [www.appic.org ] provides considerable information regarding policies
governing the internship application and interview process, and about the internship matching
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process and policies. Information about the APPIC Application for Psychology Internship (AAPI)
can be found at this site.
The Counseling Psychology program is a member program of APPIC. However, students must
themselves pay to subscribe to the APPIC Matching service.
Consistent with policies adopted by the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs, of
which KU's program is a member, students must have completed all program requirements
prerequisite to the internship prior to the deadline set annually by APPIC for applicants’
submission of their internship rankings. Any student who has not completed the necessary
program requirements cannot submit a rank ordering of internships or, in the case that a student
may have already submitted his or her list, must withdraw that ranking prior to the deadline.
As noted above, and worthy of special attention, students may not apply for internship until
the dissertation proposal has been approved. Failure to comply with this requirement
jeopardizes other program applicants and is grounds for disciplinary action by the program.
When students are ready to apply for the Match, they must file the Pre-Doctoral Internship
Readiness Form with the Director of Training.
Policy on Internship Readiness
APPIC has come out with a statement on what students would ideally have prior to applying for
internship. Our policy on the matter is below:
Consistent with our program training goals and objectives and the position of APPIC and the
various training councils for training and education in professional psychology, students are
expected to have met the following competencies before receiving the faculty endorsement of
being ready for internship (before your first deadline for application to internship):
1. Satisfactory completion of all practicum requirements
2. Satisfactory completion of research practicum with an evaluated project (e.g., a
presentation at a conference, a publication, or a grant proposal)
3. Satisfactory completion of comprehensive examinations
4. Having an approved and properly filed dissertation proposal
5. Satisfactory completion of all required coursework
6. Having accumulated a minimum of 450 total hours of direct client contact and 100 hours of
supervision. Of those 450 total hours, 300 must come from PRE 948, PRE 949, and
Field Experiences taken as part of the doctoral program in CPSY at the University of
Kansas. The 300 must be supervised (on-site or via enrollment) one hour per week by a
psychologist licensed either in the jurisdiction where the site is located, or licensed in
Kansas.
7. Having received Satisfactory annual evaluation ratings for all years in the program or
having satisfactorily fulfilled any remediation plans and/or addressed any concerns
raised by the faculty in any annual evaluation
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PREDOCTORAL INTERNSHIP APPLICATION AND SITE REQUIREMENTS
CPSY’s predoctoral internship requirements incorporate the standards of three credentialing
bodies, APA, APPIC (http://www.appic.org/About-APPIC/Joining-APPIC/Members/InternshipMembership-Criteria ), and the National Register of Health Services Providers in Psychology
(http://www.nationalregister.org/apply/credentialing-requirements/ ). Students must be able to
meet the requirements at a given clinical site in order to complete their degree, obtain postdoctoral training positions, obtain licensure in psychology at the doctoral level and meet
membership criteria for the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and the
American Psychological Association. Students are required to pursue sites that are accredited by
American Psychological Association (APA). For a complete list of accredited sites, go to
http://www.apa.org/ed/accreditation/programs/internships-state.aspx.
Students are also strongly urged to apply nationally as there are a limited number of local
internship sites that are highly competitive. If, due to circumstances, you are not able to secure an
accredited site and wish to complete your internship training with a non APA or CPA (Canadian
Psychological Association) accredited site, you need to submit a petition, along with detailed
internship program information, to the faculty for review and approval. In the petition, please
clearly state that you will accept full responsibility for pursuing a non APA or CPA accredited
internship program, if approved by the faculty, and accept any possible consequences of this
placement in the future.
Approval of non-APA internships is made only on a very limited basis and the CPSY internship
criteria must be met by all sites.
Students applying for internship are required to do so through APPIC. There are annual updates
in the way that internship application information is gathered and managed. Students are expected
to subscribe to the APPIC Match-news listserv and familiarize themselves with APPIC policies.
To subscribe to this e-mail list, simply send a blank e-mail to: [email protected]
The APPIC website [www.appic.org ] provides considerable information regarding policies
governing the internship application and interview process, and about the internship matching
process and policies.
The Counseling Psychology program is a member program of APPIC, however, students must
themselves pay to subscribe to the APPIC matching service.
Requirements for PRE 900 Internship in Counseling Psychology
The predoctoral internship in counseling psychology has the following requirements:
1. A 2,000 hour internship to be completed within 24 months. Students can complete the
internship on a full-time basis over a minimum of 12 months or on a reduced-time basis
over a maximum period of 24 months. Students should be aware that, as of this time, there
are very few reduced-time basis internships available. Reduced-time internships must be
completed at a single site.
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a. The Association of Postdoctoral and Internship Centers (APPIC) member sites
and APA accredited sites tend to be one year full time internships. Each site
determines vacation and sick time for interns at the site.
2. Two hours of individual supervision each week by a doctoral level licensed
psychologist. This amount of supervision is required whether the internship is full- or
half-time.
b. Up to one-half of the supervision may be delegated to a clinician in the program
whose expertise is in a specific area in which the intern is working, but that
individual must also be a doctoral level licensed psychologist.
3. Internships may begin only after satisfactory completion of all required doctoral
coursework, practicum, qualifying examinations, satisfactory progress on the dissertation
and with the support of the program faculty. Students must have an approved and filed
dissertation proposal before the first application due date in order to be deemed
eligible to apply for an internship.
Requirements for Internship Sites
1. A site must be an organized health care delivery system which meets all of the
following requirements:
2. The internship must be an integral part of the mission of the institution where it is located
and be budgeted and planned for by the institution (versus an experience someone in the
institution develops to accommodate a student's particular training needs). If a CPSY
student represents the first intern at a site, it is expected that the site is planning to
maintain an internship program in future years.
3. The internship agency must have a minimum of two interns at the internship level of
training during the applicant's training period. If this is not the case, then the internship
agency must arrange for the intern to have weekly contact with other predoctoral interns at
other agencies though a live meeting, or via teleconference or videoconference.
4. There should be formal written policies and procedures regarding:
a. intern selection
b. prerequisites of applicants
c. program requirements and expectations
d. administrative assistance
e. intern performance evaluation
f. feedback
g. retention and termination
h. due process and grievance procedures
5. The program must have a clearly specified philosophy of training that:
a. specifies education and training objectives in terms of competencies expected of
graduates;
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b. has an organized program including service delivery;
c. provides four hours of supervision each week, two hours of which must be
individual supervision and two additional hours that may include:
i. case conferences
ii. clinical seminars
iii. co-therapy with a staff person with discussion of the work
iv. group supervision or
v. additional individual supervision
d. has an administrative structure that coordinates and directs the training
activities and resources. This should include a Training Director who is
licensed by the State Board of Psychology of the state in which the internship
is located
e. has two or more doctoral supervisors; one must be licensed;
f. makes it clear that training considerations take precedence over service delivery
and revenue generation.
Internship is NOT simply supervised experience or on-the-job training.
In the event that an internship site is non-APA accredited, the CPSY Training Director
overseeing internship evaluates whether the site is designed to be in compliance with the above
criteria. It is an additional requirement of such internships that an evaluation from the site
supervisor be submitted half-way through the internship experience as well as at the completion
of internship. Note that internship programs may use their own forms to evaluate interns.
ALL internship completion documentation must be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to
the expected date of graduation.
Financial Considerations
1. Completion of a minimum of 12 months of full time (or 24 months of half-time at the
same site) internship must be clearly indicated on the transcript. To this end, the intern
must register for internship, PRE 900, every semester during which internship hours are
being accumulated (Fall, Spring, & Summer (one credit each semester or term) and submit
documentation of hours and supervision (initialed by supervisor) each semester.
2. Most internships pay a stipend. Students must secure permission to accept internships that
are offered without a stipend. The CPSY faculty are concerned about possible financial
exploitation of students during internship, and the internship program must provide clear
information regarding why a stipend cannot be offered.
3. Resident status during internship. Kansas resident status may be retained during the
internship period. The CPSY program training director will work with the Office of
Research and Graduate Studies and the Office of Student Financial Aid to assist with this.
Before beginning internship you are encouraged to apply to the National Psychologist Trainee
Register (NPTR) created by the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.
You can apply online at http://www.nationalregister.org/apply/doc-postdoc-2/
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